Associated with the myrtle we find the leaves of the bay laurel, forming the victorious wreaths of the ancients. The oil produced is the oil of bay laurel, oil of sweet bay. This must not be confounded with the oil of bays of the West Indies, the produce of the _Myrcia acris_; nor yet with the cherry laurel, a member of yet another family, the leaves of which are sometimes substituted for those of the sweet bay. The leaves of this plant yield the cherry laurel water of the B.P. It can hardly be said to be an article of perfumery. It also yields an oil. Another water known to the British Pharmacopoeia is that produced from the flowers of the elder, which flourishes round about Grasse. The rue also grows wild in these parts, and is distilled. THE LABIATES. The family which overshadows all others in the quantity of essential oils which it puts at the disposal of the Grassois and their neighbors is that of the Labiatae. Foremost among these we have the lavender, spike, thyme, and rosemary. These are all of a vigorous and hardy nature and require no cultivation. The tops of these plants are generally distilled _in situ_, under contract with the Grasse manufacturer, by the villagers in the immediate vicinity. The higher the altitude at which these grow, the more esteemed the oil. The finest oil of lavender is produced by distilling the flowers only. About 100 tons of lavender, 25 of spike, 40 of thyme, and 20 of rosemary are sent out from Grasse every year. Among the less abundant labiates of these parts is the melissa, which yields, however, a very fragrant oil. In the same family we have the sage and the sweet or common basil, also giving up their essential oils on distillation. THE UMBELLIFERS. Whereas the flowers of the labiate family are treated by the distillers as favorites are by the gods, and are cut off in their youth, those of the Umbelliferae are allowed to mature and develop into the oil-yielding fruits. Its representatives, the fennel and parsley, grow wild round about the town, and are laid under contribution by the manufacturers. The Composites are represented by the wormwood and tarragon (_Estragon_). THE GERANIUM. Oil of geranium is produced from the rose or oak-leaved geranium, cuttings of which are planted in well sheltered beds in October. During the winter they are covered over with straw matting. In April they are taken up, and planted in rows in fields or upon easily irrigated terraces. Of water they require _quantum sufficit_; of nature's other gift, which cheers and not inebriates--the glorious sunshine--they cannot have too much. They soon grow into bushes three or four feet high. At Nice they generally flower at the end of August. At Grasse and cooler places they flower about the end of October. The whole flowering plant is put into the still. THE ROSE.