274 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



with ^country people as a remedy for throat diseases. This, 

 with the two latter, also horse mint, (3/. sylvestris) are natives 

 of this country. 



Sage {Salvia officinalis). A stiff shrub about 2 feet high^ 

 with rough hoary leaves, native of the South of Europe, and 

 has been cultivated in this country for above two hundred 

 and fifty years. It is well known as a culinary herb, and 

 was at one time used as tea, having tonic qualities. 



Marjoram {Origanum vulgare). A strong-growing peren- 

 nial plant, native of this country, known by the name of wild 

 marjoram. Oil of thyme is obtained from it, and is used by 

 dentists and farriers. 



Sweet Marjoram {Origanum Ma jorana), Pot Marjoram, 

 (0. Onites), Winter Sweet Marjoram, {0. heracleoticum). 

 Perennial plants, natives of the South of Europe, and known 

 in this country as pot herbs. 



Origanum JEgyptiacum is supposed by some writers to be 

 the plant that formed the " bunch of hyssop,"* used by the 

 children of Israel on leaving Egypt. 



Sweet Basil {Ocimum basilicum). An annual plant^ said 

 to be a native of India, but it appears to have been early 

 known in the South of Europe, and in this country for about 

 three hundred years. It has a strong aromatic scent, being 

 analogous to cloves, and is used for culinary purposes. 



Garden Thyme {Thymus vulgaris). A small compact shrub, 

 native of the Sou.th of Europe, and like the preceding has 

 long been known in this country as an aromatic pot herb. 

 In France an oil is extracted from it, known as oil of thyme, 

 but for which marjoram oil is often substituted. 



Hyssop {Hyssopus officinalis). A small shrub, native of 

 the South of Europe, also long known in this country as an 

 aromatic, pot herb. This is not considered to be the hyssop 

 mentioned in several parts of the Bible, and which probably 

 relates to different plants. {See Index.) 



Balm {Melissa officinalis). A perennial native of the 



* Exodus, chap. xii. ver. 22. 



