THYMUS SERPYLLUM ORD. XIX. Verticillate. $51 
numerous small glands, fringed with hatrs towards the base, and 
stand in pairs upon very short footstalks: the calyx, the corolla, 
and sexual parts, correspond with those mentioned of the Thymus 
vulgaris. It isa-native of Britain, affecting heaths and mountainous 
situations, flowering in July and August. 
It is observed by Mr. Curtis, that “ few plants are subject to so 
many varieties as the Wild Thyme. In its most natural state, when 
found on dry exposed downs,* it is small and procumbent: when 
growing among furze or other plants, which afford it shelter, it runs 
up with a slender stalk to a foot or more in height, and assumes an. 
appearance which might puzzle the young botanist.” The spe- 
cimen, from which the drawing for the annexed plate was taken, 
grew in a situation which subjected it to neither of these extremes ; 
but it has been so far sheltered as to participate more of the cha- 
racter of the latter than the former. This plant has the same sen- 
sible qualities as those of the garden thyme, but has a milder, and 
rather more grateful flavour. “ Its essential oil is both in smaller 
quantity, and less acrid, and its spirituous extract comes greatly 
short of the penetrating warmth and pungency of that of the 
other.” From this it appears, that the Serpyllum, though possess- 
ing similar qualities, is evidently less medicinal than the foregoing 
species. | 
* It has been a received opinion, that this and other aromatic herbs give a flavour 
to the flesh of sheep that feed where these plants abound: but it is well known 
that sheep refuse these aromatics when they have a choice of other pasturage. 
Curt. See Account of Sheep Walks in Spain. Gent. Mag. 1764. 
