SWEET- SMELLING PLANTS 



55 



beautiful outline of symmetry. It will stand out of doors during 

 the summer months, where its foliage will emit a pleasing balsamic 

 perfume, strongly perceptible after a shower of rain ; its flowers 

 take the form of a loosely drooping pyramid of innumerable dull 

 red grass-like florets, and the whole plant gives an air of refinement 

 wherever grown. 



Humirium balsamiferum. — A giant tree of the northern parts of South 

 America, which yields a rich balsamic juice that is used by the 

 natives as a perfume. 



Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth). — There is so much doubt and con- 

 fusion as to the identity of the true Hyacinth, that it is difficult 

 to define with certainty if the plant known to the ancients is really 

 the sweet-scented and beautiful flower of to-day, as the true poetical 

 Hyacinth of olden times is believed to be one of the Lily tribe. 

 Pliny, however, describes it as having a grassy leaf with the smell 

 of the Grape flower ; again, Homer mentions it with fragrant bell- 

 shaped flowers ; other ancient fabulists call it the scented Cornflag, 

 and there is no doubt it came from the East. Our modern Hya- 

 cinths possess credentials from every point of view, sufficient 

 enough for our purpose, to suppose it to be the flower that mytho- 

 logists say sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus, a youth greatly 

 beloved both by Apollo and Zephyr (Ovid says it was Boreas), and 

 who, preferring the love of the latter, created a jealousy, which 

 ended in his destruction. Even had the Hyacinth been disregarded 

 by the ancients it appears to have formed many a happy theme in 

 the beautiful verses left by several of our poets, through its extreme 

 delicacy of colouring, elegance of form, and delightful fragrance, 

 which fit it alike for the choicest garden, or a dainty vase of odorous 

 flowers. It has been common to compare the Hyacinth to curls, as 

 this peculiarity of curled petals is common in all forms. Sir William 

 Jones describes : — 



' The fragrant Hyacinths of Azzas hair. 

 That wanton with the laughing summer air.' 



A similar allusion is made by Collins : — 



' The youth whose locks divinely spreading 

 Like sweet Hyacinths in vernal hue.' 



Shelley must have felt a love for its elegance when he penned 

 the following beautiful lines : — 



' And the Hyacinth purple, white, and blue, 

 ^hich fling from its hells a sweet peal anew ; 

 Of fragrance so delicate, soft, and intense, 

 Which was felt like an odour within the sense. ' 



Homer mentions it as taking foremost place in the mass of fragrant 



