THYMUS, THYME, a genus of the gymnospermiæ order, belonging to the didynamia class of plants. There are several species, all celebrated for their agreeable flavour, but so well known that no description is necessary. The whole plant is fragrant, and yields an essential oil that is very heating. An infusion of the leaves removes the headache occasioned by the debauch of the preceding evening. A general opinion prevails that the flesh of sheep that feed upon aromatic plants, particularly upon thyme, is much superior in flavour to common mutton: but the ingenious author of the account of the Sheep-walks in Spain (Gent. Mag. 1764.) considers this as a vulgar error. He says sheep are not fond of aromatic plants; that they will carefully push aside the thyme to get at the grass growing beneath it; and that they never touch it unless when walking apace, and then they will catch at any things.—The attachment of bees to this and other aromatic plants is well known. In the experiments made at Upsal, sheep and goats were observed to eat it, and swine to refuse it.