GAMOPETALiE-I 



113 



This species, however, is cultivated in this country, and 

 whilst most of the oil in commerce comes from France, 

 the best is obtained from Britisli-f'TOwn varieties of the 

 same plant. There is, in addition, a demand b}- herbalists 

 for Lemon" Thyme {Thymus citriodorus), another non- 



British 



species 



Avhich is incUided 

 by Mr. Hosking in 



his list of hardy 

 herbs used in medi- 

 cine. 



Sage.— The Sal- 

 via officinalis of 

 the pharmacists is 

 not a native plant, 

 although Pfrown in 



The 

 srenus Salvia is dis- 



our gardens. 



^g. 71. -Wild Thyme {Tfiymva S^^r/»/^?(n)0 

 a, Corolla optneti. h, Calyx and stig!iia. 



tinguished from all 

 Labiates by possess- 

 ing only 2 'Stamens 

 instead of the usual 

 complement of 4. A 

 garden plant with 

 the Labiate charac- 

 teristics and only 2 

 stanieiifs may safely 



be regarded as a species of the genus Sahifi. The leaves 

 of S. offi,cinolis are thick, greyisli-green, wrinkled, soft, 

 and hairy. They have a bitter taste, and are aromatic 

 and somewhat astringent. A volatile oil is obtained 

 from them which is used as a stimulant and an astringent. 

 For the cultivation of the plant, seeds or cuttings may 

 be used; it grows best in rich loam to Avhieh decayed 

 veo-etable matter has been added. 



