FRAGRANT LEAVES V. SWEET-SCENTED FLOWERS. 
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sistent—“ ready if sought ” seems to be their motto—and not only 
are scented leaves fragrant when green and fresh, but often retain 
their perfume long after they are yellow or brown and sere. Mr. 
Hudson, of Gunnersbury, to whom I am indebted for a collection 
of scented Gerania, &c., to-day, tells me that the old yellow or 
brown leaves of these charming plants are sweeter even than 
the fresh ones. This is doubtless owing to the water of the 
leaves having evaporated, thus leaving behind the essential oils 
in a more concentrated form. This permanency of odour is a 
strong recommendation, and no greenhouse or conservatory or 
boudoir need be wanting in delicate perfume if plenty of sweet¬ 
leaved plants are grown. 
Perfumes, Various, Healthy or Injurious. 
Somebody has said that the whole world is divided into those 
people who like dogs and horses and those people who dislike 
horses or dogs. Well, it is somewhat similar in the case of 
perfumes. Some folks enjoy them, while others say that they 
dislike them; and to some few people, especially to vocalists, 
some particular perfumes are actually not only repellent but 
injurious. This is even true in the world of animals and insects, 
as we all well know. Thus cats love Cat-mint, Valerian, and 
Nemophila. Dogs like Chenopodium Vulvaria. 
Nearly all cattle love Fenugreek in their food or forage. The 
perfume of Lavender, Eosemary, Cloves, Cinnamon, or Camphor 
is most deterrent or offensive to moths; hence we constantly use 
them in our linen closets or drawers and wardrobes in which 
furs &c. are stored. In the tropics I found that Camphor-wood 
chests were the only receptacles (other than close-fitting tin 
cases) that defied the ravages of the termites, or so-called white 
ants ; and even the hungry mosquito may be kept at bay by 
torches composed of Dammer-gum and Camphor combined. So 
we see there are two sides to the shield—two sides to the 
perfume question mostly attractive, but sometimes deterrent or 
repellent to both mice and men. Nor need we wonder at this 
when we observe how widely dissimilar men really are. Socrates 
objected to perfumes, and that may have been the reason 
Xantippe objected to him. Can you imagine William of 
Normandy or Oliver Cromwell or John Knox with scented 
handkerchiefs ? Of course not. Nor can you imagine Charles II. 
