238 



4 stamens, while the lobes of the corolla are 5, and opposite leaves ; circim> 

 stances in which Labiate resemble Scrophularineae and the orders allied to it. 

 From all such they are known, in the absence of fructification, by their square 

 stem and the numerous reservoirs of oil in their leaves. For some good re- 

 marks upon the anatomy of the stem of Labiatse, see Mirbel in the Annales du 

 Museum, vol. 15. p. 223. The aestivation of the corolla of this order, first well 

 pointed out by Mr. Brown (Prodr. 500), is an important consideration in deter- 

 mining whether a flower is resupinate or not. Prostanthera is remarkable for 

 the appendages to its anthers, and for the remains of albumen existing hi the 

 ripe seeds of several of its species. Brown in Flinders, 566. An arrangement 

 of the genera has been published by Mr. Benthain in the Botanical Register, 

 folios 1282, 1289, 1292, and 1300 ; a very difficult task, on account of the ex- 

 tremely close relationship which exists between all the species of this natural 

 family, but one which has been executed in a most skilful and satisfactory man- 

 ner. According to Dr. Griesselich, the reservoirs of oil in the leaves of Labi- 

 ates are not analogous to those of Oranges and other plants, but are little utri- 

 cules having an open orifice ; and hence he calls them pores. Ferussac, Jan. 

 1830, p. 96. 



Geography. Natives of temperate regions in greater abundance than else- 

 where, their maximum probably existing between the parallels of 40° and 50° 

 N. latitude. They are found in abundance in hot, dry, exposed situations, in 

 meadows, hedgerows, and groves ; not commonly in marshes. In France they 

 form l-24th of the Flora ; in Germany, l-26th ; in Lapland, l-40th ; the pro- 

 portion is the same in the United States of North America, and within the 

 tropics of the New World (Humboldt) ; in Sicily they are 1-21 of flowering 

 plants (Presl.) ; in the Balearic islands, 1-1 9th. About 200 species are men- 

 tioned in Dr. Wallich's Catalogue of the Indian Flora, a large proportion of 

 which is from the northern provinces. They were not found in Melville Island. 



Properties. Their tonic, cordial, and stomachic qualities, due to the pre- 

 sence of an aromatic volatile od and a bitter principle, are the universal feature 

 of Labiatae, which do not contain a single unwholesome or even suspicious 

 species. On account of the bitter qualities, several are used as febrifuges, as 

 the Ocymum febrifugum of Sierra Leone ; and many as aromatics in our food, 

 such as Savory, Mint, Marjoram, and Basil. Others are found useful in the 

 preparation of slightly tonic beverages, such as Glechoma hederacea, Sage, 

 Balm of Gilead, &c. When the volatile oil is in great abundance, as in Laven- 

 der and Thyme, an agreeable perfume is the result. Rosemary is the herb 

 used in the manufacture of Hungary water. The leaves of Ocymum album 

 are considered by the natives of India stomachic, and their juice is prescribed in 

 the catarrhs of children. Ainslie, 2. 92. The fresh juice of Anisochilus (La- 

 vandula carnosa L.) mixed with powdered sugar candy, is prescribed by the 

 native practitioners of India in cynanche. Ibid. 2. 144. Tonic and stimulant 

 properties have been ascribed to the Origanum Dictamnus. Ibid. 1. 112. It 

 is asserted that the juice of the bruised leaves of Phlomis esculenta, drawn up 

 the nose, is a specific against the bite of serpents ; but there is reason to doubt 

 the truth of this statement, as the plant, which is a common weed in Bengal, 

 possesses but a slight aromatic scent, and has scarcely any flavour. Trans. 

 •M. and P. Soc. Calc. 2. 405. Hedeoma pulegioides, the Pennyroyal of the 

 North Americans, has a great popular reputation as an emmenagogue. Barton, 

 2. 168. Cunila mariana is beneficially emplo} r ed in infusion in slight fevers and 

 colds, with a view to excite perspiration. Ibid. 2. 175. The roots of Stachys 

 palustris are described as an esculent by Mr. Joseph Iloulton. The Panax 

 Coloni of old botanists is the same thing. Trans. Soc. Arts, 46. 8. Perhaps 

 the most singular quality of these plants is their containing an abundance of 

 camphor, a substance which seems to exist in the whole tribe, and which is 



