462 
ctaced in terminal fpikes, feparated into clutters : the calyx is tubular, 
permanent, reddifh, ftriated, hairy, and divided at the brim into five 
fmall pointed fegments : the corolla is tubular, divided at. the limb 
into four fegments, of which the uppermoft is the broadeft, and 
notched at the apex : the filaments are two long and two fhort, 
tapering, and furnifhed with roundifh antherse : the germen is divided 
into four parts, fupporting a (lender ered ftyle, which is longer than 
the corolla, and terminated by a cloven expanding ftigma : the feeds 
are four, fmall, and lodged in the calyx. It is a native of England, 
affecting watery fituations and banks of rivers, and flowers in Auguft. 
The fpontaneous growth of this plant is faid to be peculiar to 
Britain ; but as it is generally preferred to the other fpecies of Mint, 
its cultivation has long been extended over Europe, and that employed 
here is commonly raifed in gardens. This fpecies has a more pene 
g fmell than any of the other mints, and a much ftronger and 
warmer tafle, pungent and glowing like pepper, finking as it were 
into the tongue, and followed by a fenfation of coldnefs. 
" By maceration, or infufion, it readily and ftrongly impregnates 
both water and fpirit with its virtue. — In diftillation with water it 
yields a confiderable quantity of eflential oil of a pale greenifh yellow 
colour, growing darker coloured by age, very light, fubtile, poflefling 
in a high degree the fpecific fmell and penetrating pungency of pep- 
per-mint.* Rectified fpirit, drawn off with a gentle heat from the 
tincture made in that menftruum, brings over little of the virtue of 
the herb, nearly all its pungency and warmth remaining concentrated 
in the extract." a 
Its ftomachic, anifpafmodic, and carminative qualities renders it 
ufeful in flatulent colics, hyfterical affections, retchings, and other 
dyfpeptic fymptoms, acting as a cordial, and often producing imme- 
diate relief. Its officinal preparations are an efTential oil, a fimple 
water, and a fpirit, 
* Dr. Cullen obferves, that " rectification is particularly Decenary and proper for 
this eflential oil. What has been called effence of pepper-mint, feems to me to be no 
the 
Lewis, M. M. p 
M. M, vol it. p. 15° 
We have already noticed that this plant yields camphor. See Gaub. Adverf. p. 99. f<tf» 
f 
MENTHA VIRIDIS 
