- 2-2 4 
botanists to which genus some ot‘ the different species 
belong. The proverbially fragrant sambac, or zambac, 
according to Sir W. Jones, is called Nava mallica, or 
many-flowered nyctanthes, and Gau-tncr also considered 
it of die same genus; whilst Miller classes it with the 
jasmines. When the learned differ, who may decide ? In 
two delightful qualities, however, the rival genera cer¬ 
tainly agree, namely, in their beauty and perfume. 
The tree selected for our purpose is the sep’halica, 
after the Sanscrit nomenclature; the sorrowful nyctanthes 
of Linnaeus (triste being the epithet he always gave to 
night-blowing flowers). It is thus described by our 
author: ” This gay tree (for nothing sorrowful appears 
in its nature) spreads its rich odour to a considerable 
distance every evening; but at sunrise it sheds most of 
its night-flowers, which are collected with care for the use 
of perfumers and dyers. My pandits unanimously assure 
me, that the plant before us is the sep’halica, thus named 
because bees are supposed to sleep on its blossoms.” 
This nocturnal fragrance has a twofold spell; it not 
only regales the senses, but affects the imagination, by 
reminding us of that incense of the heart which is offered 
“ in secret to Him who seeth in secret.” 
