10 



SALVIA CERATOPHYLLA. 



much branched, and wholly covered with viscid hairs. The branches are crowded, 

 each bearing a raceme of pale yellow flowers. The lower leaves are remarkably 

 singular, and differ from those of every other Salvia with which we are acquainted ; 

 being divided down to the mid-rib, and the divisions themselves approaching to a 

 further division. In its quadrangular, furrowed, and obtusely angled stem, it 

 much resembles Salvia Sclarea, as it does also in its branching mode of growth, 

 the form of its floral leaves, and the disposition of its flowers. It is a native of the 

 East ; is found near Aleppo, and Arimathea, in Syria ; in Persia ; and in 

 Mauritania. According to Aiton (Hort. Kew.), it was introduced into Britain at 

 an early period, having been cultivated by Bobart previous to the year 1699. It 

 is biennial, and produces seeds freely, which ought to be sown in April in any 

 common garden mould. The plants will flower the following year in June, and 

 July. A reserve of seeds should be kept for three years, to insure. against a 

 failure from unfavourable seasons. 



The generic name Salvia, is derived from the Latin Salveo, to be in good health, 

 in reference to its healing qualities ; and its specific name ceratophylla, from the 

 Greek keras, a horn, and phyllon, a leaf, from the divisions of the leaf being 

 supposed to bear some resemblance to the branchings of a stag's horn. 



The genus Salvia contains a greater number of species than that of any other 

 genus of the natural order Labiates, some of which are distinguished by the rich 

 and brilliant colours of their flowers, as Salvia fulgens, coccinea, Grahami, and 

 strictiflora. The amount of species, exclusive of varieties, enumerated by Mr. 

 Bentham in his valuable work on the Labiatse, just published, amounts to 291, 

 which are distributed over almost every part of the known globe, with the 

 exception of the Arctic region, comprehending Lapland, Greenland, Iceland, and 

 the northern coasts of Russia and America; and the South temperate zone, 

 comprising Patagonia and Van Dieman's Land. The species are thus divided 

 between the old and new world by the same admirable author — the old world 

 contains 117, the new world 174. — Salvia was much esteemed by the ancients as 

 possessing great medicinal virtues ; hence the following verse : — 



" Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto ;" 



but notwithstanding such high encomiums, its medicinal properties are considered 

 to be very feeble, and it is consequently nearly discarded by medical practitioners 

 of the present day. 



