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J 

 VI. The Botanical Htftory of Mentha exigua. By James Edward S$iith, 



M.D. F.R.S. P.L.& 

 Read June 3, 1794. 



IN countries which have been the moft completely examined with 

 refpect to their natural hiftory, the fcience is frill fo far remote 

 from perfection, that in fome departments new productions arc 

 every day difcovered, while in others we find ourfelves perpetually 

 in need of correction as to nomenclature. Few nations have had 

 their botanical productions fo fully elucidated as thofe of England 

 and Sweden ; yet fuch as look a little beyond the ken of vulgar 

 eyes, find the Floras of both extremely imperfect, and our own par- 

 ticularly has more than one plant attributed to it upon very flimfy 

 authorities. Perhaps the inveftigation of fuch doubtful natives 

 may be as profitable as the fearch after new ones, provided we 

 proceed cautioully and on fure critical grounds. If we difprove 

 their authenticity we not only fave trouble to compiling publishers 

 in future, but, which is of infinitely more importance, we prevent 

 much perplexity to honeft practical ftudents and collectors, who 

 confide in fuch writers. Thefe confiderations induce me to inform 

 my fellow-labourers in the botany of Great Britain, that they may 

 for the future fpare themfelves the trouble of fearching for Mentha 

 exigua; and this is the more incumbent upon me, as I have myfelf 



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