the heat which the flame produces has any effect upon the pot, the whirlwind which scours the desert sweeps away the crackling fuel, and the travellers are disappointed of their refreshing meal. Ketzach; Heb. FENNEL FLOWER. Nigella; Tou. La nièlle; Fr. Ger. Nigelle; Dut. Nigella; It. and Port. nucha ziele; Pol. Der schwatzkümmel; KETZACH, which occurs only in Isaiah xxviii. 25, 27, is rendered fitches in the authorized version. There cannot be much surprise that the translators should give some word which denoted an agricultural plant as an equivalent to Ketzach; for it is associated by the sacred writer with cummin, and wheat, and barley, and rye. "When the plowman hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches (Ketzach), and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and the rye in their place?" It is evident, also, that it was a smaller plant and grain than wheat; thus at verse 27, "for the fitches (Ketzach) are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches (Ketzach) are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod;" whence we must infer that a smaller instrument was sufficient for the purpose of separating the seed from the plant. Jerome and a whole host of authorities understand the word to mean gith, which was named Mελavov by the Greeks, and by the Latins, Nigella, of which Nigella orientalis is figured in our group. Ballester says that it was a plant of common cultivation in gar dens, growing to the height of a cubit. The leaves are like our fennel, and the flower disappearing, the ovary shows itself like the poppy at the extremity of the stem. The seeds are contained in small cells, separated from each other by membraneous partitions. They are small, very much like those of the leek, but of a very fragrant smell, and quite black. Ausonius tells us that Black-seed, as the seed of this plant is also called, is "pungent as pepper;" Pliny, that it is good for seasoning food. He states, moreover, that it is much used in the bake-house, and that it imparts a grateful flavour to bread. It is probable that it was used much as we use carraway-seeds. Nigella orientalis, or the yellow Fennel Flower, is a native of Syria, growing to about eighteen inches in height. It bears an ornamental flower from June to September. It was first imported into this country in the year 1699. TARES. Ervum; L. L'ers ervillier; Fr. Die erve; Ger. Erven; Dutch. Ervo; VARIOUS have been the plants suggested as being referred to by our Lord in the parable where Tares are said to have been sown by an enemy among the wheat; Matt. xiii. 25, 27, 29, 30. We shall first speak of that which our translators selected, probably decided by the meaning of the word, feeling that they could not with certainty determine the plant referred to. Tare is from the Dutch Teren, absumere, because it destroys the corn. Richardson says this is the Anglo-Saxon, Tiran, to prey upon, to consume. The generic name Ervum has likewise reference to the injurious character of this plant, being derived from erw, a Celtic word, signifying tilled land, to which the plant is a pest. The hairy Tare (Ervum hirsutum) bears a number of small pale blue flowers, and is very common both in England and on the continent. It blooms in the months of June, July, and August, and is a very troublesome weed in our corn fields, and particularly on light sandy soils. From this we may see how well the Tares do suffice to convey with accuracy the lesson which iava are intended to teach in the parable; but authors have been desirous of substituting a plant which should have a close resemblance to wheat. They first assumed that it was a plant which rises to the height of the corn; and Mintert says, "it is a plant in appearance not unlike corn or wheat, having at first the same kind of stalk, and the same viridity, but bringing forth no fruit, at least none good." It is also alleged that ZiZaviov does not include every kind of weed which springs up among corn, but has reference to a particular species indigenous to Canaan, which bears a close likeness to wheat, but when sown degenerates, and puts on another form and nature. Whence we are led to regard Darnell as the representative of Zaviov. Johnson says, 66 Among the hurtful weeds, Darnell (Lolium album) is the first. It bringeth forth leaves like those of wheat or barley, yet rougher, with a long ear, made up of many little ones, every particular whereof containeth two or three grains lesser than those of wheat; scarcely any chaffy husk to cover them with; by reason whereof they are easily shaken about and scattered abroad. They grow in fields among wheat and barley. They spring and flourish with the corn; and in August the seed is ripe." Whether we understand the Ervum or the Lolium, however, the word Tares gives to us a very accurate notion of the original. The man "sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat ;" and "when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also." The servants told their master of this, and said, “Wilt thou that we go and gather them up ?" From this it would seem that there was a sufficient difference between the two to enable a practised observer to distinguish the presence of the Tares at an early period of the corn's growth. The servants would |