MYRTLE, Myrtus, a genus of myrtacece, having the limb of the calyx 4 to 5 parted, 4 to 5 petals, numerous free stamens, an almost globose germen, and a 2 to 3 celled berry, crowned with the limb of the calyx, and containing kidney shaped seeds. The leaves are opposite and marked with pelneid d3ts; the flower-stalks are axillary, and generally one-flowered. The COMMON MYRTLE (.f. communis) is well known as a beautiful ever green shrub, or a tree of moderate size, with white flowers. It is a native of all the countries around the Mediterranean sea, and of the temperate parts of Asia, often form ing thickets, which sometimes occur even within the reach of the sea-spray. The leaves are ovate or lanceolate, varying much in breadth. They are astringent and aromatic, containing a volatile oil, and were used in medicine by the ancients as a stimulant. The berries are also aromatic. and are used in medicine in Greece and India. A myrtle wine, called myrtidanum. is made in Tuscany. :Myrtle bark is used for tanning in many parts of the south of Europe. Among the ancient Greeks the myrtle was sacred to
Venus, as the symbol of youth and beauty, was much used in festivals, and was, as it still is. often mentioned in poetry. The myrtle endures the winters of Britain only in the mildest situations in the south.—The SMALL LEAVED MYRTLE of Peru (Y. micro phylla) has red berries of the size of a pea. of a pleasant flavor and sugary sweetness. Those of the LIMA (if lama) are also palatable. and arc eaten in Chili; as are those of the Downy MYRTLE (if. tomeatosa), on the Neilgherry hill; and those of the Wilyrtg EitlUED MYRTLE pi. leococarpa), by some regarded as a variety of the common myrtle. in Greece and Syria. 'clic berries of this species or variety are larger than those of the common myrtle, and have a very pleasant taste and smell.—A very limnble species of myrtle (IL nummullaria) spreads over the ground in the Falkland islands, as thyme does in Britain.