MINT FAMILY 



mens; the lower spreading, three-cleft, the middle lobe 

 largest, and toothed. 



Stamens. — Four, in two pairs, ascending under the up- 

 per lip; the lower pair shorter. 



Pistil. — Ovary deeply four-lobed. 



Pollinated by beetles, bees, and flies. Nectar-bearing. 



There is a certain curious rela- 

 tion existing between the domestic 

 cat and this world-wide plant, and 

 her wild delight over the aromatic 

 odor of the Catnip represents a very 

 elemental instinct. 



We have no other common plant 

 whose leaf is just like that of the 

 Catnip. It is beautifully heart- 

 shaped with scalloped edges, velvety 

 to the touch, grayish-green, aro- 

 matic and fragrant. Sometimes it is 

 beautifully marked with white. The tiny, gaping 

 flowers are gathered into whorled clusters which are 

 set in short, interrupted, blunt spikes. The general 

 effect of a whorl of blossoms is a background of whitish 

 pink covered with innumerable little dots. 



One should always look for Pussy's friend near 

 barn and garden; the plant naturady takes on a 

 bushy form, it consorts in waste places with the Bur- 

 dock and the Black Mustard, sometimes it follows 

 a fence a considerable distance. 



Catnip was once, and possibly still is, a domestic 

 remedy for children's stomach troubles and colds. 



Leaf of Catnip. 

 cataria 



NePeta 



178 



