NARDUS, a genus of plants belonging to the tri-
andria class; and in the natural method ranking under
the 4th order, Gramina. See BOTANY Index.
This plant was highly valued by the ancients, both
as an article of luxury and medicine. The unguentum
nardinum, was used at baths and feasts as a favourite
perfume. Its value is evident from that passage of
Scripture, where our Saviour's head was anointed with a
box of it, with which Judas found fault. From a
passage in Horace it appears that this ointment was so
valuable among the Romans, that as much as could
be contained in a small box of precious stone was con-
sidered as a sort of equivalent for a large vessel of wine,
and a proper quota for a guest to contribute at an enter-
tainment, according to the ancient custom:
Nardo vina merebere,
Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum.