SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



25 



of many species emits a peculiar aromatic smell when bruised or 

 passed through the hand, and also imparts a pleasing fragrance 

 to the atmosphere of the greenhouse in which the plants are 

 standing ; beyond this it seems a great pity such a charming class 

 should be practically destitute of a sweet scent. 



^ Yet in spite of the skill of Chrysanthemum growers, there are two 

 things that they cannot do. One is to raise a blue flower. Tradition says 

 that blue Chrysanthemums are raised and jealously guarded in some 

 secluded Buddhist monasteries in Japan ; but no stranger is allowed to 

 look upon them, nor will the priests permit them to be propagated in any 

 way beyond what is necessary for keeping up their stock. Pictures of 

 blue Chrysanthemums are frequently seen on Japanese pottery, but 

 whether the potters have painted from nature or from their own imagina 

 tions no one can tell. In spite of the most diligent search no European 

 has been able to come across the blue flower, and many of our most 

 experienced growers openly scofl' at the idea of its existing as ridiculous. 

 The blue Chrysanthemum, they declare, is as impossible as the blue Eose. 

 The other thing growers have not yet been able to do is to obtain really 

 sweet-scented varieties. Not very long ago a French exhibitor declared 

 that he had overcome this latter difficulty, and he had on view a number of 

 plants whose blossoms emitted a delightful odour. At first every one was 

 delighted, but soon suspicions were aroused, and on examination it was 

 found that the smell had been obtained by letting a few drops of scent fall 

 on each flower. ' 



Cinchona. — An evergreen forest tree from South America, now largely 

 grown for the production of what is known commercially as Peru- 

 vian Bark ; the flowers are of a pinkish white, and very fragrant. 



Cineraria lanata. — An herbaceous variety of this popular flowering 

 plant from the Canary Isles, bearing white and red flowers, that 

 possess a dainty violet fragrance. 



Cinna arundinacea. — A grass with hay-scented foliage. 



Cinnamon Vine. 8et Dioscorea batatta. 



Cinnamomum Cassia. — An Indian tree which yields the Cinnamon of 

 commerce. G. Zeylanicum, also an Eastern tree, bears flowers 

 smelling like the rose. 



Cinnamosa. — A small tree from Madagascar with aromatic leaves, 

 belonging to the Magnolia family. 



Cistus {Rock Rose). — Flowering shrubs peculiar for the balsamic odour 

 given oflf by the leaves when bruised. C. ladaniferus is a variety 

 deserving of extending culture, its foliage when rubbed against 

 gives oflp a rich fragrance. Before the dew has dispersed in the early 

 morning is the best time to enjoy the delicate aroma dispensed by 

 this dainty plant. Xative of South Europe. 



