THY'MUS AZU'REUS. 
AZURE THYME. 
Class. Order. 
DIDYNAMIA. GYMNOSPERMIA . 
Natural Order. 
LABIATiE. 
Native of 
Heig’ht. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
S. Europe. 
2 inches. 
June. 
Perennial. 
in 1830? 
No. 604. 
The name. Thymus, has been handed down to 
us from the ancient Greeks ; probably deduced from 
THUMOs, strength. When difference of opinion 
exists with regard to the derivation of the name of 
a plant, we may with some degree of safety incline 
to that which is made to indicate quality, seeing 
that the ancients studied plants chiefly to ascertain 
their medicinal properties, and very frequently 
named them accordingly. Notwithstanding the 
boasted refinement of Athens, the botany of the 
Athenians shows them to have been very deficient 
in the exact sciences. 
This species of Thyme spreads closely over the 
surface of the soil ; it partakes of the perfume of its 
congeners, and continues in flower several weeks. 
It merits a place in every collection of al pines, 
whether kept in pots, or cultivated in a compart- 
ment adapted to the peculiar wants of this class of 
plants. These peculiar wants are fewer than is 
generally supposed, — peat soil and shade in summer 
constitute their principal requirements, as far as 
these differ from flowering plants generally. It 
may be divided at any time of the year. 
