i 82 TKK ASSOCIATlOlsS OF FLOWERS 
the sticks of the Turkish pipes. Sometimes the henna 
grows on the hills of the Greek isles, pouring its sweetness 
on the vales beneath. Its blossoms, when gathered, form 
the favourite bouquet of the Grecian females, who delight 
peculiarly in flowers, and w^ear them in profusion about 
their persons. 
The Greeks call this plant ‘‘kupros;’’ but its most fre- 
quent Indian name is mendey. It is generally believed to 
be the plant which was by the ancient Hebrews termed 
kopher, and which is, in the Song of Solomon, called 
camphire. 
Three species of henna are to be found in England; and 
the plant is not very difficult to cultivate in our climate. 
It is one of the employments of the females of those 
countries in which henna is valued, to impart to their nails 
a pink dye, obtained from the dried leaves of the plant. 
They also use it to give this colour to the soles of their 
feet and the palms of their hands. Moore alludes to this : 
“ Thus some bring leaves of henna to imbue 
The fingers’ ends of a bright roseate hue, 
So bright that in the mirror’s depth they seem 
Like tips of coral branches in the stream.” 
The Oriental ladies also deck their sofas and adorn 
their houses with the rich blossoms of the henna. The 
dried leaves are preserved as a scent ; and an extra.ct pre- 
pared from them is used on visits and festive occasions, 
and profusely employed in their religious ceremonies. 
The Hindoo maiden assumes the red dye to her nails 
as soon as she is betrothed, which is generally at a very 
early age. The practice of using this dye appears to be 
very ancient, from the circumstance that the mummies of 
Egypt, those gloomy-looking remains of past generations, 
have often their nails covered wdth the red paste of the 
henna. 
This plant is also of extensive use in Eastern manufac- 
tures, being employed for dyeing maroquins of a reddish- 
yellow colour. 
One species of the balsam, which we cultivate as an 
annual, is used in the East in the same way as the henna, 
•for dyeing the nails. 
