several writers conceive that Hyssop supplied the 
place of the reed; and, consequently, must have 
been a large shrub to afford a branch adequate to 
the purpose mentioned. In the first book of Kings 
we read that Solomon “ spake of trees, from the ce- 
dar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the Hyssop 
that springeth out of the wall.” Here Hyssop and 
the cedar are opposed to each other, as the extremes 
of large and small. From this and other variance 
of description, some commentators have assumed 
that the name of our present subject, was one em- 
ployed generally for any aromatic plant; but, con- 
sidering that a thousand years transpired between 
the splendour of Solomon and the crucifixion of 
our Saviour, it surely is unnecessary to endeavour 
the reconciliation of a name to the same individual 
plant. The wonder would most naturally arise if 
the plant and name continued so long in connexion. 
From the apparent qualities of the Hyssopus 
orientalis, it may be presumed to possess all the 
virtues of its congener, with greater beauty ; conse- 
quently it may serve the double purpose of an or- 
namental shrub, and an aromatic and medicinal 
one. Hyssop tea, sweetened with honey, is a pop- 
ular remedy for coughs and affections of the lungs. 
The Hyssopus orientalis, or angustifolius of Bieb- 
erstein, is a remarkably free-flowering ornamental 
little shrub, of neat growth ; and is more powerfully 
aromatic than the Hyssopus officinalis, or common 
Hyssop of our gardens. It may be propagated by 
division, from cuttings, or by seeds. If seeds are 
sown early in spring, the plants will flower in the 
succeeding autumn. 
