POETRY. 
221 
PLEASANTRY. 
BALM GENTLE. 
The scientific name of this plant is Melissa, 
which is synonymous with the Greek word for 
bee, being derived from /xsXt, honey, which is 
sought for in these flowers with avidity. “ The 
recent plant has the agreeable odour of le¬ 
mons.” “ It was formerly prized as a corro¬ 
borant in hypochondriacal and nervous affec¬ 
tions.” It is on account of the soothing 
qualities of the waters distilled from this plant 
that it has been made the emblem of plea¬ 
santry. 
POETRY. 
EGLANTINE, OR SWEET BRIAR. 
O’er-canopied with luscious woodbine, 
With sweet musk roses, and with eglantine. 
SHAKSPERE. 
The eglantine, or wild briar rose, more 
commonly called sweet briar, has ever been 
considered the poet’s flower. It is not loved 
for its fair delicate blossoms only; but its 
fragrant leaves, which perfume the breeze of 
