Page:Treatise on Soap Making.djvu/43

27 From the beginning it grows upright, and much resembling a bush of rosemary.

Its natural soil is on the declivity of hills, near the salt marshes, or on the edge of the small drains or channels made by the husbandmen for the purpose of watering the fields. Before it has acquired its full growth, it is very like the barilla of those in which the ground has been dunged before sowing. In these years of manuring, barilla, contrary to its usual nature, comes up with a tinge of red; and when burnt, falls far short of its wonted goodness, being bitter, more impregnated with salts than it should be, and raising a blister, if applied a few minutes to the tongue.

Barilla contains less salt than the others. When burnt, it runs into a mass resembling a spungy stone, with a faint cast of blue.

Gazul, after burning, comes as near barilla in its outward appearance, as it does