718 
ex Fresen. in syll. pl. soc. ratisb. 2. p. 232. M. horténsis, Opiz, 
in syll. pl. soc. ratisb. 2. p. 227. 
Green Mint, or Spearmint. Fl. July, Aug. Britain. 
feet. 
11 M. Pıreri ra (Lin. spec. 805.) leaves petiolate, ovate- 
oblong, acute, serrated, roundly crenated at the base, and are, 
as well as the stems, glabrous; spikes loose, obtuse, short, 
interrupted at the base; pedicels and calyxes glabrous at the 
base, with hispid teeth. 2%. H. Native of the North of 
Europe, spontaneous ; and cultivated throughout Europe, 
Egypt, Asia, North and South America. Smith, engl. bot. t. 
687. Nees. pl. off. with a figure. Woodv. med. bot. 169.— 
Zorn. icon. t. 56. —Petiv. brit. t. 31. t. 10.— Ray. syn. t. 10. f. 
2. M. piperita officinalis, Sole, menth. brit. t. 7. M. piperita 
vulgaris, Sole, herb. but hardly of menth. brit. t. 8. M. gla- 
brata, Vahl. symb. 3. p. 75. M. Kahirina, Forsk. fl. egypt. 
M. balsàmea, Willd. enum. p. 608. ? Stem branched, reddish, 
quite glabrous, or with a few spreading hairs. Petioles usually 
ciliated. Spikes reddish. Calyxes purplish. Corolla purple, 
or red. This species, the peppermint, is almost entirely for dis- 
tillation, for which it is extensively cultivated in low, rich, soft, 
marshy lands, especially such as can be irrigated or flooded. It 
is sometimes also cultivated in gardens for its young green tops 
and leaves, for the purposes of spearmint. The leaves have a 
strong, rather agreeable smell, and a pungent, aromatic taste, 
somewhat resembling that of pepper, and accompanied with a 
peculiar sensation of coldness. Its predominant constituents 
are essential oil and camphor, both of which rise in distillation, 
and are combined in what is called oil of peppermint. Pepper- 
mint is principally used as a carminitive and antispasmodic. 
The distilled water is a domestic remedy for flatulent colic, and 
the essential oil is often given with advantage in doses of a few 
drops in cramps of the stomach. 
Culture. All the species of Méntha, as well as the present, 
are raised by the same methods, viz. by parting the roots, by 
offset young plants, and by cuttings of the stalks. By the 
roots—This is performed in spring and autumn. Having some 
full roots from any established beds, divide them as expedient, 
and drawing drills, with a hoe about 2 inches deep and 6 inches 
asunder, place the roots in the drills moderately close, and 
earth them over to an equal depth. By offsets—In the spring 
procure these from established plants, and dibble them in rows 
6 inches asunder. By cuttings of the young stalks—In May, 
June, or advanced summer, taking the opportunities of showery 
weather, cut these into lengths of 5 or 6 inches, and plant the 
cutting by dibble, 6 inches apart, inserted half way into the 
earth. . 
Subsequent Cullure. Propagated in any of the above methods 
the plants set in spring or summer will come into use the same 
year. Water new plants till they take root. Keep them clean 
from weeds. At the end of autumn cut away any remaining 
stems, at which season, or in the spring, spread a little loose 
earth thinly over the beds. 
Taking the crop. ‘For culinary use or salads, gather both 
when the young green tops are from one inch to 6 inches in 
length, and in their advanced growth throughout the summer. 
When nearly full grown in June, July, or August, or beginning 
to flower, gather a store for winter, spread the heads thinly in 
some dry place, shaded from the sun, to be well dried, then, 
tied in bunches, house the store. When desired for distillation 
let them attain full growth coming into flower, then cut and use 
the heads immediately. Peppermint being principally used for 
distillation, should stand in the ground until they begin to flower 
being then in the highest perfection. Cut in dry weather sid 
tie the bundles, and carry under cover ready for immediate use 
Cut full grown stalks close to the bottom. ` It is best to cut as 
PIS 
LABIATÆ. XXVI. Menrua. 
soon as the dew is off in the morning, for in the afternoon, and 
especially during bright sunshine, the odour of the plant is found 
to be much diminished.” 
New Plantation. All the species continue by the roots many 
years, but when the plants grow weakly make a fresh plantation 
in time. 
Forcing spearmint. Mint in a young green state may be 
obtained all winter, and early in spring, by planting some roots 
in a gentle hot-bed, or in pits, or shallow pans, to be plunged 
therein. Plant the roots pretty thickly, and earth over an inch 
and a half deep; or some roots thus planted in pots or boxes 
may be placed in a stove. Plant for succession every 3 weeks, 
as forced roots soon decay. 
Var. B, ? subhirsüta (Benth. lab. p. 176.) leaves hairy on the 
nerves beneath, and on the petioles. 2t. H. Native of Eng- 
land, in Norfolk, at a lake called Saha, Smith; and near Bath, 
Sole. M. hirsüta, 6, Smith, herb. M. piperita sylvéstris, Sole, 
menth. brit. t. 24. M. hírta, Willd. enum. 608.? M. pimén- 
tum, Nees, ex Rchb. fl. germ. exc. p. 309. 
Pepper Mint. Fl. Aug. Sept. Britain. Pl. 1 to 2 feet. 
12 M. cirga' ra. (Ehrh. beitr. 7. p. 150.) leaves petiolate, 
ovate, broadly rounded at the base, or subcordate, and are, as 
well as the stem, glabrous, or the petioles are ciliated; whorls 
few, approximate into an oblong head, or the lower one is loose 
and remote; pedicels and calyxes glabrous. Y%. H. Native 
of England, in watery places in Cheshire, North Wales, and 
near Bedford, Smith, probably spontaneous. M. nigricans, 
Mill. dict. no. 12. M. odorata, Sole, menth. brit. t. 9. Smith, 
in Lin. trans. 5. p. 192. engl. bot. t. 1025. M. adspérsa, 
Meench. menth. 379. ex Willd. spec. 9. p. 79. This is inter- 
mediate between M. piperita and M. aquatica. Corollas red- 
dish purple. 
Bergamot Mint. Fi. July. Aug. Britain. PI. 1 foot. 
13 M. aqva'ricA (Lin. spec. p. 805.) stem beset with reflexed 
hairs; leaves petiolate, ovate-serrated, rounded at the base, or 
sub-cordate, rather hispid on both surfaces, or villous ; lower 
floral leaves like the others: upper ones bractea-formed ; 
whorls few, all, or only 2 or 3 of the upper ones, disposed into 
globose or oblong heads: upper terminal one often remote from 
the lower ones; calyxes tubular, and are, as well as the pedi- 
cels, villous. X.H. Native of Europe, and Asiatic Russia, 
very common in watery places and ditches; and naw occurs 
almost in every part of the globe, but has probably migrated 
from Europe. Sole, menth. brit. t. 10, 11. M. palástris, Mill. 
dict. no. 11. M. hirsüta, Smith, in Lin. trans. 5. p. 193. engl. 
bot. 7. p. 447. M. pedunculàta, Pers. ench. 2. p. 119. — Poir. 
dict. suppl. 3. p. 663. M. pyramidalis, Tenore, fl. nap. p. 33. 
t. 35. M. acüti-serràta, Opiz, ex Fresen. in syll. pl. soc. ratisb. 
2. p. 226. M. nigréscens, Weihe, ex Fresen. l. c. M. bugu- 
lefolia, Weihe, 1. c. M. brachiàta, Weihe, l. c. M. aurita, 
Weihe, l. e. M. origanoides, Lejeune, fl. spa. M. pubéscens, 
Willd. enum. 608. ?—Riv. mon. t. 49.  Corollas purplish red. 
The upper head of flowers is always terminal, while the stem of 
M . arvénsis is always indeterminate. 
Var. a, nemorüsa (Fries, nov. fl. suec. ed. 2d. p. 183.) stem 
and peduncles beset with short, reflexed hairs; hairs of the 
leaves few and scattered, of the calyx short and spreading ; 
whorls few, all globosely capitate, or the lower one remote 
Xt. H. Native of Britain, Sweden, France, Portugal, Spain, 
Germany, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Caucasus, Siberia, Azores 
Madeira, Cape of Good Hope, Brazil, and North America. M. 
capitata, Opiz. M. intermèdia, Host, fl. austr. 2. p. 141. . 
purpürea, Host, fl. austr. 2. p.141. M. citràta, Rchb. icon. 
bot. 10. p. 26. t. 977. but hardly of Ehrh. 
Var. B, hirsàta (Willd. enum. p. 610.) more villous ; whorls 
as in var. a, but usually larger. X.H. Native of the same 
M^ 
