90 IVILD, OK XATIVE FLOWERS. 



have also heard it said that it may be used as a dye, but that the blue 

 colour produced is very evanescent. 



I merely mention this about the use made of this plant as a dye 

 weed, but have no experience of my own to verify its accuracy. 



Wild Bergamot — Monarda fistulosa, (L.) 



Among the Mints we have many different species, all odorous, 

 pungent and aromatic : some have pretty flowers, but generally speaking 

 they are more valued for their qualities than chosen for any striking 

 beauty of colour in the blossoms. 



^^'e have Spear-mint, Pepper-mint, Horse-mint, Catnip and many 

 others of this humble but not useless family. 



The plants of the Natural Order Labiatas are remarkable for 

 being mostly aromatic and pungent, although some are coarse and rank 

 in odour, none are hurtful. 



One of the handsomest and most agreeable in scent is the tall 

 Monorda or Wild Bergamot, a very handsome, sweet scented plant, 

 common upon our Oak-openings and wild grassy plains and dry uplands. 

 I have seen a very pretty variety — AToiiorda fistulosa (L.) var. iiiollis, 

 (Benth) — with rose-coloured blossoms and glandular flowers, from the 

 Poplar Hills, Manitoba. The species so commonly seen on the hilly 

 ground above Rice Lake — Monarda fistulosa, (L.) — is tall, with soft 

 leaves of a dull green, of a fine aromatic scent and velvety surface ; the 

 globular heads of lilac lipped flowers are terminal ; the colour of the 

 corolla varies from lilac to very pale, pinkish-white. 



All the species are sweet-scented, and might be utilized to 

 advantage as an aromatic flavouring. The Bergamot being far more 

 delicate and agreeable than the Winter green which is so largely used in 

 confections. 



Heai.-all — Pruuclla vuli:;aris, (L.) 



This simple herb is commonly found in grassy meadows and on 

 wayside waste-lands, near rivers and low grounds. It is common 

 everywhere, yet is generally thought to be an exotic, having been 

 introduced among foreign grasses, and thus become naturalized to the 

 country. 



There seems to be really no special virtue in the plant ; though it 

 boasts of a name which should entitle it to notice, yet we are ignorant 

 of its medicinal or healing uses. It is destitute of any sweetness, but 

 the blossoms are pretty and associated with English meadows and green 

 bowery lanes, so we look kindly upon the i)ur])le-lipped flower for the 

 dear Old Counfy's sake. 



