TICK OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 411 



Thorn, a general term for spiny plants^ chiefly applied to 

 the different species of Cratmgiis, as the Hedge Thorn (C. 

 Oxyacantha), and the Cockspur Thorn {0, Cms galli). 



Thorn Apple. {See Datura.) 



Thrift, a common name for Statice Armeria or Armena 

 vulgaris, and minor tufty grass-leaved herbs of the Leadwort 

 family (Plumbaginaceas), common on hanks and rocky places on 

 sea-coasts of this country. They are known in gardens as Greater 

 and Lesser Thiift, also by the names of Sea GilMowers and 

 Sea Thrift. They are suitable for forming edges for walks and 

 borders, for which they are in some gardens used instead of box. 



Thus, or Frankincense, a resin from Ahes excelsa. 



Thyme (Thyimis vulgaris), a small-leaved, compact, evergreen 

 shrub, not exceeding 1 to 2 feet in height, of the Mint family 

 (Labiatse), native of Southern Europe, introduced into this country 

 more than 300 years ago, and a favouiite for its aromatic scent : 

 also used as a flavouring agent for culinary jDurposes. In France 

 an oil is extracted fiom it, known as Oil of Thyme, but for which 

 maijoram oil is often substituted. 



Thyme, Oat {Teiwrmm Ilarum and T. Polimii), small, neat 

 shrubs, also of the family Labiatse, not exceeding a foot in 

 height, with small leaves, natives of the islands and coasts of 

 the Mediterranean. The first is used medicinally, and excites 

 sneezing. Cats are fond of rolling on it. 



Thymol. (See Ajowan.) 



Ti, a name in New Zealand for Dracmia termmalis, a tree of 

 the Lily family (Liliacese), common in the Sandwich Islands 

 and in the islands of the Pacific generally. It has thick fleshy 

 roots which contain saccharine matter, from which the natives 

 extract sugar. They also bake and eat the roots, and a spirituous 

 liq[uor is obtained from them by distillation. 



Tibisiri, the Indian name for the Miriti Palm (which see). 



Tick Seed, a name in the United States for Desmodium 

 acuminatum and D. nudifloncm, perennial trifoliate-leaved herbs 

 of the Bean family (Leguminosse), common in the Southern 

 United States. Used as fodder plants, and to increase the secre- 



