SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



131 



are tliickly mantled with the golden radiance of this beautifnl wild 

 plant, and the Vallee des Yaiix is sometimes alive with its Instre. 



' There alone have I roamed 'mid blossoms of gold, 

 And forgot that the great world was crowded and cold, 

 Nor "believed that a land of enchantment conld show 

 A vale more divine than the Yallee de Vaux.' — Richardson. 



There is an old proverb : — ' When Gorse is out of blossom, kissing is 

 out of fashion ' — that is never. The Gorse blooms nearly all the year. 

 Unona discolor. — A small spreading shrub with pale j^ellow odorous 

 flowers, 



Uvaria odorata. — An Indian shrub with scented flowers and aromatic 

 properties, largely employed in yielding fragrant gums and oils. 

 U, aromatica from Guiana is likewise very fragrant. See also 

 Cananga. 



Valeriana Celtica. — A common plant in the South of Europe, cultivated 

 for the aromatic properties attached to its roots, which is much 

 prized by Eastern nations for perfuming their baths. This feature 

 is to an extent apparent in most of the species, although not so 

 pronounced in some as in others. 



Vanilla aromatica. — An orchidaceous plant from tropical America 

 that bears a pod largely employed in flavourings. 



Vernonia odoratissima. — An herbaceous plant from Central America 

 bearing purple flowers. 



Verbena officinalis ( Vervain), — An herbaceous British plant, also known 

 as ' Herb of Grace ' ; so greatly was it esteemed in olden times that 

 it was frec^uently worn about the person to ward off evil associa- 

 tions. There are many other species of this family that are both 

 beautiful and sweetly fragrant, notably some kinds of the garden 

 Verbena, so largely used for summer decoration. The Lemon-scented 

 Verbena, whilst botanically named V. triphylla, is now generally 

 known as Aloysia, the name under which we describe it ; 



' The Verbena strains 



The point of passionate fragrance.' — Browning. 



Viburnum odoratissimum. — A handsome Japanese evergreen shrub, 

 bearing bunches of white flowers deliciously scented. This variety 

 is now rarely seen in cultivation, but for what reason it is difficult 

 to imaguie, as its scented attractions should find it a place in every 

 conservatory. 



Vicia faba (Field Bean). — A native of Persia, but nov\' acclimatised 

 in Europe. The flowers possess a delicate, honey-like fragrance, 



