MEL'ILOT, Melilotus, a genus of clover-like plants of the natural order leguminosce, with ternate leaves, differing from the clovers in the generally' elongated racemes of flowers, the stamens not adhering te the corolla, and the 1 to 4 seeded tumid pods Alt the species have a strong- peculiar s-veetish smell, which becomes more agreeable when they are dried, and is owing to the presence of comnarin (q.v.)—The COMMON YELLow MELILOT (11f. officinalis) is found in bushy places and the borders of fields in Britain And most parts of Europe. It has an erect stem, two or three ft. high, and long, loose axillary racemes of yellow flowers. A water distilled from the flowers is used in per fumery. The herbage is relished by cattle, but the produce is not large. It is an annual, but if frequently mowed without being permitted to flower, lives for several years.—The WarrE MEuLor (M. vulgaris or leueantha), common in some parts of Europe, has become naturalized in many places in Britain.—The BLUE MELILOT aerulea),
native of the n. of Africa, with short racemes of blue fldwers, is cultivated in many parts of Europe, particularly in Switzerland and the Tyrol, and has the peculiar melilot odor in a high degree. It was formerly much used in medicine as an anodyne, discutient, diuretic, sudorific, expectorant, and vuluerary; and to the many good qualities supposed to belong to it may be ascribed the high estimation in which the schabzieger or chapzieger cheese of Switzerland is held, to which it imparts its flavor. Where this cheese is made in considerable quantities the smell of melilot can be discerned even at a distance.— BOKILAIIA CLOVER (M: arborea) has attracted attention on account of the fiber of its stem, which is used for the same purposes as hemp.—The MEssrsA MELILOT mes sinensis), a native of the countries near the :Mediterranean, is believed to be one of the plants called Wes by the ancients.