XXVI 



FLORA ODORATA 



find modern Egypt has preserved many of the customs of its 

 former inhabitants, and to this day the washing of the body 

 of the dead with rose water, and rubbing it with fragrant oil 

 is observed by the upper classes ; even among the Arabs we 

 find the same mode of life that was adopted by the patriarchs 

 of old, in the distribution and uses of sweet flowers and 

 aromatic fumigations. 



The Greeks ascribed a divine origin to perfumes, and in 

 the sacrifices offered to their deities the victim was literally 

 covered with garlands of scented flowers, herbs and sweet- 

 smelling, vapours. The Myrtle especially seems to have been 

 largely employed with their wines and love-potions, under 

 the belief that the leaves of this dainty plant prevented all 

 intoxicating powers when dipped in the liquor, the branches 

 were also laid upon graves to keep away evil spirits, the Bay 

 leaf was chewed by their priests in the belief that thej^ com- 

 municated the spirit of prophecy ; it was also placed under 

 their pillows to induce perfect rest, besides being held in 

 much esteem by the physicians as a panacea for all com- 

 plaints. When the people crowded into Rome, during the 

 time of the Italian plague, they were all recommended to go 

 to Laurentium (now San Lorenzo) because the sweet Bay 

 there grew in great abundance, and the inhalation of air 

 impregnated with its odours was a sure preventive against 

 infection. The strong-scented Feverfew bore the tradition of 

 fine dispelling powers, and there seems some amount of 

 reason that these old ideas are based on scientific truth, as it 

 is now ascertained that the quantity of ozone is materially 

 increased by an exposure to the rays of the sun of various 

 plants, among which we name Lavender, Musk, Cherry, 

 Laurel, Clove, Fennel, Narcissus, Heliotrope, Hyacinth, 

 Mignonette, Sunflower, and Eucalyptus. 



