NAMES OF PLANTS. 147 



small moths/'—E. B. Tinea is L. for a moth, and 

 Neo is a G. prefix signifying new, or fresh. Such 

 names, composed of Greek and Latin, are not con- 

 sidered good (see canon la, p. G4) ; further, names 

 of members of the animal kingdom are not allowed 

 by Linnean rule to be used for plants (see canon 17, 

 p. 65). 



Nep'eta, Pliny. Named, according to Linneus, from Nepi, 

 a town in Italy; others say from nejoa, a scorpion, 

 for whose sting this ]3lant was considered a cure. 

 See Nepeta, under Cala^hntha. 

 Cata'ria, Dodonseus. From L., catus or catta, a cat. 

 " The latter herbarists do call it Herba Cattaria, and 

 Herba Catti, bicause the cats are very much delighted 

 herewith ; for the smell thereof is so pleasant vnto 

 them, that they rub themselues vpon it, and wallow 

 or tumble in it, and also feede on the branches and 

 leaues very greedily." — Gerard. 

 Glecho'ma, Linneus. From G., glechona, Pennyroyal. 



Nephro'dium. G., nephros, the kidneys, from the kidney- 

 shaped involucres. The British species are all 

 included in the sub -genus Lastrea, which is dis- 

 tinguished by having free veins. 



Nu'PHAR, Smith. Arabic, nauphar. 



Nymph^'a, Theophrastus. G., referring to the water 

 nymphs, or naiads of ancient mythology, who pre- 

 sided over rivers, springs, and fountains. 



Obi'one, Gartner. Prof. Asa Gray says :— " Origin of the 

 name unknown, unless from the river Obi, in Siberia, 

 whence the original species came." ' 



GEnan'the, Theophrastus. G., cen, wine, and antli, flower; 

 alluding to the smell of the flowers. 

 PhellanUlrium, Pliny. From G. "Dr. Both always 



