HISTORICAL SKETCH 



XXXV 



though mentioning Lavender and Violets as examples, there 

 are others, the introduction of which ^vill readily suggest them- 

 selves to any one acquainted with Southern European botany.' 



In the island of Ceylon, where the flowering trees and 

 shrubs are so beautiful, and where the blossoms among the 

 verdure are so plentiful that the trees are said to stand upon 

 a carpet of flowers, the scent at early morning and in the 

 dews of evening, is far more powerful than can be conceived 

 by those accustomed only to the flowers of cooler latitudes. 

 The passengers of vessels approaching Ceylon can perceive 

 these gales 



' That sigh along 

 Beds of Oriental flowers ' 



long before they reach its shores. 



With the Buddhist community scented flowers take a lead- 

 ing part in ceremonials, so much so that the whole atmosphere 

 is rendered oppressive with the perfume of Jessamine, and the 

 shrine of the deity is also thickly strewn with choice exotics 

 that emit the most delicate aromas. 



If oiu^ English flowers lack the overpowering influences of 

 their Oriental kind, they at all events excel them in other 

 respects, delighting the eye with their more delicate beauty, 

 and charming the sense of smell with their perfumes, Avhich 

 are rarely disagreeable by reason of their aromatic nature. 



The fragrance yielded by certain plants when brmsed has 

 aftbrdecl many beautiful images of the poets. Moore alludes 

 to this circumstance when speaking of the only real consola- 

 tion in sorrow : — 



' B-at thou canst heal the broken heart, 

 Which like the plants that thro^Y 



Their fragrance from the wounded part, 

 Breathes sweetness out of woe. ' 



Both China and Japan harbour many beautifully fragrant 



