8o 



AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



whilst on the plant, the lateral growths drooping down adding to its 

 beauty. 



Myrsiphyllum angustifolium.— A twining herbaceous climber from 



South Africa, bearing white flowers and aromatic foliage. 

 Myrtle. See Myrtus. 



Myrtus communis [Myrtle). — A well-known evergreen shrub, found 

 in a wild state throughout the South and Eastern parts of 

 Europe, and now cultivated all the world over. Amongst the 

 ancients the Myrtle was held sacred to Venus on account of its 

 great beauty, whilst among the Greeks it was an emblem of 

 authority and largely employed in making crowns for victors ; 

 with the Jews it was an emblem of justice. 



Virgil, in his pastorals, alludes to its fragrance in Corydon's 

 garden. ... ' And thee, Myrtle, next in dignity to the 

 Laurel ; for thus arranged, you mingle sweet perfumes.' 



Spenser has also left the following dainty lines in reference to the 

 garden of Adonis : — 



' Right in the midst of that paradise 

 There stood a stately mound on whose round top 

 ^. ■ . A grove of Myrtle trees did rise, 



And from their fruitful sides sweet gum did drop 

 That all the ground with precious dew bedight 

 Threw forth most dainty odours and most sweet delight.' 



Milton, describing the bower of Paradise, says : — 



' The roof 



Of thickest covert was inwoven shade 

 Laurel and Myrtle, and what higher grew 

 Of firm and fragrant leaf ; . . . 

 Veiled in a crown of fragrance 

 Stands Eve alone, half spied.' 



In modern times we find a ' sprig of Myrtle ' a leading ornament 

 in wedding floral arrangements, and the bride's bouquet is mcomplete 

 without it ; beyond this, its chief use is in perfumery, particularly in 



~ the manipulation of pot-pouris, and a highly odorous water is dis- 

 tilled from its pure white flowers, the leaves also are strongly 

 scented. There are also yellow and pink flowered kinds. 



Myrtus pimenta. See Eugenia pimenta. 



Nabalus albus. — A perennial herbaceous plant from North America, 

 bearing paniculate heads of sweet-scented white flowers. 



Narcissus (Daffodil, Jonquil), — A beautiful genus of early flowering 

 l)ulbous plants, mostly natives of South Europe. The Narcissus 

 is a member of a family distinguished by the extreme beauty of its 

 flowers, alike in their forms, and richness, and variety of colouring. 



