208 A COMPENDIUM OF 
Mentha Viridis, Spearmint, Green Mint.— 
Natural order Labiate. This small plant, pe- 
rennial as to its root and annual as to its stem, 
is a native of Europe, but naturalized in North 
America and many other sub-tropical countries 
of the world, and cultivated for its oil. The 
Spearmint flourishes in damp and moist places; 
it has a creeping root and erect stem from 6 to 
12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) high, adorned 
with rich green leaves, smooth oblong or ovate- 
lanceolate in shape, nearly sessile, with margins 
unequally serrated, infloresces in clusters and 
form axillary whorls, flowers purple in color 
and tubular in form, with four stamens, calyx 
bell-shaped. 
The entire plant has an aromatic odor and an 
aromatic, agreeable taste. The twigs, leaves 
and flowers contain gum, resin, extractive mat- 
ter, and a pale yellow, volatile oil, which will 
be treated of under the head of oils. Spear- 
mint 1s carminative, nervine and stimulant in its 
effects, and officinal in the form of water and 
Spirits; the former in doses of ¥% to 1 fluid 
ounce, of the latter 1 fluid drachm. The former 
preparation is used chiefly to disguise the taste 
of nauseous remedies. The name is derived 
from the Greek Minthe, a nymph, daughter of 
Cocytus, who, according to mythological works, 
was changed into the plant mentha. 
Monarda, Horsemint, Monarda Punctata.— 
Natural order Labiate. This plant is a native 
of the United States, and throws up a stem 6 to 
18 inches high from its perennial root, which is 
adorned with oblong lanceolate-shaped leaves, 
with minutely serrated edges; their surfaces 
