An Account of Plants, fyc. 



Cistus Crispus. 



Creticus. 



Salvifolius. 



These three shrubs cover all the hills in the islands of the 

 Archipelago and sea of Marmora; they are gummiferous, 

 and, in June and July, secrete copiously a very fragrant gum, 

 which adheres to the goats' beards that browse on the plant, 

 and is combed off, like the Ladanum, for which it is some- 

 times substituted. They are all distinguished by the Hypo- 

 cistis, a succulent parasitic of a rich red colour, which I found 

 growing from the roots, as described by Dioscorides.* 



Poterium Spinosum. 

 This shrub is every where found with the above-named Cisti, 

 and covers the hills with its prickly branches, like whin or furze 

 in England. It must have been well known to the ancients ; 

 but whether under the name of Xto//% or Uor^tov, is dis- 

 puted. 



Vitex Agnus-castus. 

 This fragrant and beautiful shrub is found on the banks of 

 all the rivers of Greece and Asia Minor, in company with the 

 Nerium Oleander. It was called by the ancients dyvos, be- 

 cause it was always carried by the priestesses in the feasts of 

 Ceres.f There is a certain veneration attached to it at the 

 present day. The Turks call it Kef Marjam, (the Hand of 

 Mary,) and attribute to it many virtues. 



* Lib. i. cap, 109. + Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. xxiv. cap. 38. 



