THE MYRTLE, 
143 
Palestine, and from Sacred History it would appear to grow to a large size (Zachariah, 
i., 8). The variety, however, most esteemed by them, is a kind with broad leaves, 
very bushy in its growth, from the circumstance of its leaves usually growing in threes, 
instead of pairs, the usual character. It is a very ornamental and compact growing shrub, 
and not uncommon in our old plant collections ; Miller called it in his day the Italian 
Myrtle, from its having been introduced to Britain from that country. 
It is named by the Jews, Aboth, and is mentioned in the sacred writings in connection 
with the Citron, Date-Palm, and Willow, (Leviticus, xxiii., 40). The Jews were com- 
manded to take the fruits of goodly trees {Citron), branches of palm trees (Phoenix 
dactylifera), the boughs of Aboth or thick trees (Trehle-leaved Myrtle) and willows of the 
brook ; with these their booths were decorated, and the feast continued seven days, and 
as far as practicable, the same rules are followed at the present time. The union of these 
plants was termed Arhang minim, and was considered symbolical of the relation existing 
betwixt the Deity and his creation — the Citron {Esrog), representing the Creator himself; 
the Palm-branches {Looliff), the spiritual portion of the creation ; the three-leaved Myrtle 
(Aboth), the visible heavens including the whole stellar system ; and the Willow repre- 
senting the earth with all its varied inhabitants. 
The common Myrtle is a native of Persia, but was introduced at a very early period 
into the South of Europe, and also into many other countries, where upon the rocks and hill 
sides it has become quite naturalised, and is now found growing wild, as common as is the 
furze of this country. It was introduced to Britain nearly 200 years ago, and has always 
sustained its character as an universal favourite. With us it forms a broad spreading 
evergreen shrub, and exhibits in its numerous varieties a great difference in character, 
foliage and habit. 
The Broad-leaved (M. communis Romana), is the common flowering Myrtle, as it is 
called, because of the great freedom with which it blooms with us. 
The Box-leaved or Tareutine (M. com. Tarenti^ia), is a small leaved kind, very 
common, and flowers very late in the season. 
The Italian or Jews' Myrtle (M. coin. Italica,) is an upright-growing broad-leaved 
kind, very often producing its leaves in threes, but is liable to great variation. 
The Black- fruited Myrtle (M. com. Melanocmya,) is often seen with double flowers; 
is rather hardy, flowers freely against a wall, and becomes loaded with its black fruit which 
are generally eaten by birds. 
The Broad-leaved Dutch Myrtle (M. com. Belgica), generally a very free flowering 
kind, of which there are several varieties; one bears double flowers, and others differ in the 
foliage and size of bloom, the leaves are crowded and of a very dark green. 
The White-berried Myrtle (M. com. leucocarpa). This is a native of Greece and 
the Balearic Isles, it is a handsome kind, the fruit grows large, is white when ripe, and 
has a very pleasant aroma, on which account it is made much use of as a spice. 
The Nutmeg, or Portugal Myrtle (M. com. Lusitanica). Of this kind there are 
some striped varieties, it has a small leaf and forms a very pretty shrub. 
The Orange-leaved Myrtle (M. com. Bmtica). This is a handsome kind, having 
also variegated varieties. 
The Thyme-leaved Myrtle (M. com. mucronata). A dwarf narrow-leaved kind, less 
known than many of the others. 
In point of cultivation nothing is easier than the management of these plants ; in the 
southern counties of England they flourish and grow to a large size when planted against 
walls, and in warm, well-drained situations in the shrubbery, where they endure a 
moderate winter without shelter : they are not however capable of bearing intense frosts, 
and are therefore commonly protected with a mat, which is removed in mild weather. 
They flower abundantly all the summer and autumn, and are useful plants for conservative 
walls, windows, or cool greenhouses, if even there is a deficiency of light. They thrive 
potted in any light rich soil ; cuttings strike freely planted in pots of soil, or even under a 
handglass in the open air. Several excellent specimens have been introduced of late years, 
but none surpasses the Myrtus communis for beauty or are so easily managed, 
