SWEET OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 399 



handsome growth, pyramidal in form, growing in moist situa- 

 tions ; its wood is hard, and is used for structural purposes. 



Sweet Basil {Ocymiim lasilicuoii), an annual plant of the 

 Mint family (Labiatse), said to be a native of India, but it 

 appears to have been early known in the South of Europe, and 

 in this country for about 300 years. It has a strong aromatic 

 scent, analogous to cloves, and is used for culinary purposes. 



Sweet Flag (Acorus Oalamus), a strong-growing sub-aquatic 

 of the Aroid family (Aroideas), having a thick creeping rhizome, 

 from which rise sword-shaped leaves, 2 to 3 feet in length ; the 

 spathe containing the spadix is borne on a narrow, leafy, flat 

 stalk. It is common in England and most temperate countries 

 of the northern hemisphere. The whole plant has a strong, 

 sweet, aromatic smell. The pounded root is used by perfumers 

 for scenting hair-powder, and in Lincolnshire, where it abounds, 

 it is used as a cure for ague. In Norwich it is or was a custom 

 on festivals to strew the floor of the cathedral with the leaves 

 of the Sweet Flag, which on being trodden upon raised a pleasant 

 odour. 



Sweet Plum. {See Sour Plum.) 



Sweet Potato or Batata {Batatas edulis), a perennial plant 

 of the Bindweed family (Convolvulaceas). This is supposed to 

 be originally a native of India, but it has long been universally 

 cultivated throughout all tropical and sub-tropical regions. It 

 forms one of the principal articles of food of the natives of 

 New Zealand and the islands of the Pacific. It is a twining 

 plant, with heart-shaped leaves, having flowers like the convol- 

 vulus, and tuberous roots like potatoes. By change of letters 

 and pronunciation the name potato was derived from the 

 Spanish Batata. There are many varieties, varying considerably 

 in size and shape, from that of an ordinary potato to several 

 pounds in weight, some in Java attaining a large size. The Sweet 

 Batata was known in this country in the time of Gerard (1597), 

 who had it growing in his garden at Holborn, London ; he says, 

 "In summer it flourished, but rotted in winter, this climate 

 being too cold for its cultivation as a food plant." It, however. 



