Page:Floras Lexicon-1840.djvu/49



ASIL. . Class 14,. Order:. Poverty is sometimes represented. under the figure of an old woman covered with rags, seated near a plant of basil. It is commonly said, that hate has the eyes of a basilisk, because this name has been given to a fabulous animal, which is stated to produce death by a single glance. Basil, however, is a name derived from the Greek, which signifies royal, and indicates the excellence of this fragrant plant.