SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



75 



Another plant diffusing a delightful odour while drying is the 

 common Melilot [M. officinalis). This may be met with chiefly 

 among bushes, and it often flowers in hedges at the sides of lanes 

 and roads. The fragrance of this plant, though not quite so power- 

 ful as that of the Sweet Woodrufi*, is equally lasting ; and when 

 the sun, by absorbing its moisture, has withered its freshness and 

 it appears almost dead, this quality is in perfection, making its 

 presence valuable in hay that has been wetted, and here its aroma, 

 which very much resembles the Sweet Vernal Grass, is productive 

 in rendering an insipid article spicy and palatable. 

 Melissa officinalis (Balm). — An herbiferous perennial from the South 

 of Europe, and well known in our own gardens as an aromatic 

 plant. It is also much liked by bees, and it is said if the swarms 

 stray away they can be induced to return to their hive by the 

 delicious attractions of the juice of the herb. Balm tea is to this 

 day recommended by old country folk to cure all evils flesh is heir 

 to. The variegated form makes a pretty border plant, and the 

 delightful fragrance of its leaves after a shower of rain is very 

 grateful. 



The Moldavian Balm and Balm of Gilead are varieties common 

 both in cottage windows and in our gardens as possessing scented 

 attractions in their leaves : — 



' The juice of Balm, a very precious flower 



As SAveet, as soft as air, as gentle.' — Shakespeare. 



Melitta Melissophyllum (Honey Balm). — A wild plant, found in some 

 parts of the South of England, with scented attractions. 



Melodinus. — A genus of tropical climbing shrubs from Eastern Asia, 

 with white, , sweet smelling star-formed. Jasmine-like flowers, fol- 

 lowed by egg-shaped berries. 



Mentha (Mint). — A genus of herbaceous plants found in all temperate 

 parts of the world ; they are either weeds or cultivated in the 

 manipulation of valuable commercial commodities. The name is 

 said to have arisen from Mintha, who was daughter of Cocytus, who, 

 according to mythological history, was changed into this plant by 

 Proserpine from motives of jealousy. The whole family possess- 

 aromatic leaves, and amongst the most popular we mention the 

 following, which are natives of Britain : — M. piperita, the Pepper- 

 mint of commerce ; M. viridis, the common garden Mint, used in 

 cookery ; M. pulegium, Pennyroyal ; M. citrata, the variety from 

 which a sweet-smelling oil is extracted, in odour like oil of Berga- 

 mot. M. Requieni is a fine rockwork plant, forming a dense carpet 

 of fragrant foliage. In a wild state they are generally found in 

 damp soils or on the fringe of ponds. 



