SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



67 



They are largely employed for flavouring cigars. Although called 



Vanilla plant it has no connection with the Vanilla of commerce. 

 Ligusticum Ajowan. — An annual from Central Europe, possessing a 



Thyme-like odour in its leaves. 

 Ligustrum Quihoi. — x\ Chinese variety of the common Privet, bearing 



in the autumn loose panicles of white strongly scented flowers. 

 Lilac. See Syringa. 



Lilium {Lily). — From the time of Solomon to the present day the 

 beauty and delicacy of the Lily has been celebrated in all ages. 



' The Lily's height bespake command, 



A perfumed fairy flower ; 

 She seemed designed for Flora's hand, 

 The sceptre of her power.' 



It represents a grand and much admired genus of bulbous plants from 

 many parts of the world. A large number of important additions 

 have been made in recent years to the genus both in species and 

 varieties. Most are hardy in any part of this country, and perhaps 

 all are so in the best favoured districts. Their stately style, and 

 elegant, gaily coloured, and often perfumed flowers are becoming 

 better known and appreciated ; and the genus is doubtless destined 

 in the future to perform an important j)art in the hardy flower 

 garden. All nations agree in making the Lily the symbol of purity 

 and modesty ; it is the fit attribute of beauty. The heathen 

 nations held it in such high regard as to consecrate its glorious 

 attractions to Juno, of whom it is said that ' from the milk of her 

 breasts sprang this beautiful flower.' It was largely employed 

 throughout the times of the Greeks and Romans in all their 

 festivals. The Greeks placed crowns of Lilies upon the heads of 

 their brides as emblems of purity and abundance ; the Romans 

 regarded it with equal admiration. By whom and at what period, 

 however, it found its way into England we cannot with certainty 

 say ; but it was probably one of the plants which we gained from 

 Palestine by means of the early Crusaders. The common hardy 

 garden Lily {L. candidum), with large white diverging blossoms, 

 most odorous and beautiful, well deserves the title of the Madonna 

 Lily. 



It is peerless in purity, beauty, and honey-like fragrance while 

 it lasts. It is as efi"ective for back rows of ribbons, centres to 

 foliage and other plants, as on the old herbaceous beds or borders. 

 It is indeed worthy of a place in every garden. For a time they 

 fill all eyes, and, as it were, obscure by their superior beauty all 

 else. 



It will be questioned by none that L, auratiim is one of the 



