TU’LSI (Ocymum).—­The Indian Basil, of which there are several species, such as the Ram Tulsi (ocymum gratissimum) the Babooye Tulsi (ocymum pilosum) the Krishna Tulsi (osymum sanctum) and the common Tulsi (ocymum villosum) all of which possess medicinal properties, but the two latter are held to be sacred to Vishnu and used in his worship.  The Puranas say that Krishna assumed the form of Saukasura, and seduced his wife Brinda.  When he was discovered he manifested his extreme regard for her by turning her into the Tulsi and put the leaves upon his head.[136]

APPENDIX.

* * * * *

THE FLOWER GARDEN IN INDIA.

The following practical directions and useful information respecting the
Indian Flower-Garden, are extracted from the late Mr. Speede’s New
Indian Gardener, with the kind permission of the publishers, Messrs.
Thacker Spink and Company of Calcutta.

THE SOIL.

So far as practicable, the soil should be renewed every year, by turning in vegetable mould, river sand, and well rotted manure to the depth of about a foot; and every second or third year the perennials should be taken up, and reduced, when a greater proportion of manure may be added, or what is yet better, the whole of the old earth removed, and new mould substituted.

It used to be supposed that the only time for sowing annuals or other plants, (in Bengal) is the beginning of the cold weather, but although this is the case with a great number of this class of plants, it is a popular error to think it applies to all, since there are many that grow more luxuriantly if sown at other periods.  The Pink, for instance, may be sown at any time, Sweet William thrives best if sown in March or April, the variegated and light colored Larkspurs should not be put in until December, the Dahlia germinates most successfully in the rains, and the beautiful class of Zinnias are never seen to perfection unless sown in June.

This is the more deserving of attention, as it holds out the prospect of maintaining our Indian flower gardens, in life and beauty, throughout the whole year, instead of during the confined period hitherto attempted.

The several classes of flowering plants are divided into PERENNIAL, BIENNIAL, and ANNUAL.

PERENNIALS.

The HERON’S BILL, Erodium; the STORK’S BILL, Pelargonium; and the CRANE’S BILL, Geranium; all popularly known under the common designation of Geranium, which gives name to the family, are well known, and are favorite plants, of which but few of the numerous varieties are found in this country.

Of the first of these there are about five and twenty fixed species, besides a vast number of varieties; of which there are here found only the following:—­

The Flesh-colored Heron’s bill, E. incarnatum, is a pretty plant of about six inches high, flowering in the hot weather, with flesh-colored blossoms, but apt to become rather straggling.