CHERVIL, Anthriscus cerefolium, an umbelliferous plant, which has been long culti vated as a pot-herb, and used in soups and for a garnish, etc., in the manner as parsley. It is much more used in some parts of the continent of Europe than in Britain. It is a native of Europe, naturalized in some parts of England. The leaves have a peculiar, somewhat sweetish, pleasantly aromatic smell and taste, by which the plant may be known from its congener anthriscus vulgaris or scandi.z anthriscus, a poisonous weed, whose leaves have a disagreeable smell, and which is also distinguished by its hispid fruit. There is a variety of C. with large roots, for the sake of which it is culti vated.—The umbelliferous plant called VENUS' COMB or SIIEPHE.RD'S NEEDLE (seandie pecten or S. pecten reneris), a native of Britain and of the continent of Europe, often found in corn-fields, and remarkable for the appearance and large size of its fruit, and another species (S. australis) which grows in the s. of Europe, have a taste and
smell resembling C., and are used in the same way ou the continent. SWEET C. or SWEET CICELY (myrrhis odorata; scandix odorata of the older botanists), a native of the s. of Europe and of some parts of Asia, common in the neighborhood of houses in Britain, although probably not a true native, is frequently cultivated in Germany under the name of Spanish C. or anise chervil. In Scotland, the plant is commonly called myrrh by the peasantry. Its smell is peculiarly attractive to bees; and the insides of empty hives are sometimes rubbed with its leaves, to induce swarms to enter.—The species of charophyllum, coarse weeds, are also called chervil.