Localities. — On the rocks, and cliffs, and sandy shores, of the southern and 
western coasts of Englaud.— Cornwall ; Plentiful on St. Michael’s Mount, and 
everywhere about the Lizard Point, but chiefly on the banks of earth called 
hedges : Mr. Giddy. Apparently planted in every station observed : Mr. H. C. 
Watson, in N. B. G. — Hants ; On the beach near Hurst Castle, and Fresh- 
water : Dr. Pulteney. — Kent; It forms the ornament of Sandgate, flourishing 
upon its sandy banks, and flowering thrice within the year: Rev. G. E. Smith. — 
Svjffolk ; By Languard Fort : Sir T. G. Cullum.— Sussex ; On the Cliff to the 
East of Hastings: Rev. Dr. Goodenouch. Also West of the old town, doubt- 
less planted: But. of Suss, and N. B. G. 
A Shrub. — Flowers in July. 
Root branched. Stem slender, from 5 to 14 or 16 feet high, 
sometimes higher, very much branched ; older branches long, 
slender, twiggy, drooping, red, and shining, with scattered, sessile 
scales ; younger branches herbaceous, slender, bright green. Leaves 
very small, egg-shaped, or egg-spear-shaped, pointed, scattered or 
imbricated, smooth, deciduous, with a loose spur at the base. Spikes 
lateral and terminal, somewhat panicled, dense, cylindrical, slender, 
of numerous, nearly sessile, reddish or white, bracteated, scentless 
flowers. 
This elegant Shrub is frequent in sandy places in France, on the shores of 
the Mediterranean Sea, and of the Atlantic Ocean, as far as Poictiers; also 
found upon the banks of rivers in the South of Europe, North of Africa, and 
West of Asia. It is likewise a native of Tartary, Barbary, the Himalayas, and 
Japan. It is the Myrica of the Gieeks, and the Tamarix of the Latins; and 
Dioscopides mentions it as being effective in various diseases. Its bark is 
slightly bitter, and astringent ; and its ashes contain a large quantity of Sulphate 
of Soda. In the South of Russia, and in Tariary, it assumes a great variety of 
form , according to the soil and situation ; the tops of the dwarf plants are there 
eaten by sheep, in preference to all other food ; and the stems of the larger ones 
are used as handles for whips. Evelyn tells us, that it was considered of old 
one of the unfortunate trees, and under malediction, and therefore used for wreaths 
to put round the heads of malefactors. He says also, that drinking-canns were 
made of the wood: and it is spoken of as affording brooms to the housewife. 
W. Bkowne says — 
“ Amongst the rest the tamariske there stood, 
For housewives’ besomes onely knowne most good.” 
The Tamarisk has been celebrated in the verses of most of the ancient poets. 
Homer mentions it as the tree against which Achilles laid his spear before he 
plunged into the Xanthus, to pursue the flying Trojans. 
'• So plunged in Xanthus by Achilles’ force, 
Roars the resounding surge with men and horse. 
His bloody lance the hero easts aside, 
(Which spreading tamarisks on the margin hide).” 
• Pope's Horn. II. B. xxi. 1. 18—21. 
It is introduced in the Pastorals of Theocritus; and Virgil has noticed 
it several times in his Eclogues. Its name may also be found in several of the 
poems of Ovid. 
The Tamariscineje are polypetalous dicotyledonous shrubs, 
with rod-like branches ; small scale-like leaves ; a 4- or 5-parted, 
permanent calyx, imbricated in the bud ; a corolla of 4 or 5 petals, 
inserted into the base of the calyx; with 4, 5, 8, or 10 stamens, 
which are either free or united by their filaments. The ovary is 
free; the capsule 3-sided, 3-valved, 1-celled, and many-seeded, 
with 3 placentas ( receptacles ) at the base of the cell, or along the 
middle of the valves. Seeds comose (tufted), without albumen. 
Tamarix is the only British genus in the order. 
