134 FLORA DOINIESTICA. 



DRAGON^S-HEAD. 



DRACOCEPHALUM. 



LABIAT.E. DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA. 



So named from the form of the flower, which resembles a gaping 

 mouth. 



The Moldavian Dragon's-liead, commonly called Mol- 

 davian Balm — in French, la melisse dc Moldavie ; la Mol- 

 davique ; la melisse des Turcs [Turk's balm] — is an annual 

 plant with blue flowers, which appear in July, and con- 

 tinue till the middle of August. It has a strong scent, 

 which to some persons is very agreeable. The seeds of 

 this, and of the other annual kinds, may be sown either 

 in March or September, in small pots, one seed in each, 

 or several in a larger pot, and thinned as they may 

 require it when they come up. Some kinds are more 

 branched than others. 



Balm of Gilead is a perennial plant, a native of the 

 Canary Islands : it has blue or flesh-coloured flowers, 

 continuing from July to September. It is called Balm of 

 Gilead from its fine odour when rubbed. The old writers 

 call it Camphorosma, and Cedronella, upon the same ac- 

 count. It should be soM^n in September, and kept in the 

 house during the winter. When grown, it will require 

 shelter from frost only ; but when first sown, should be 

 treated rather more tenderly. It may also be increased 

 by cuttings, which, planted in any of the summer months, 

 and placed in the shade, will soon take root. 



The Virginian Dragon's-head — named by the French, 

 la cataleptique; Vlierhe dux paralltiques, from its use in 

 palsy and similar diseases — is a native of North America : 

 it has purple flowers, blowing from July to September. 

 This species requires a moist soil, and should have more 



