258 



LABfATAi. 



[chap. 



An erect or ascending aromatic shrub, with square stem, 



opposite, simple leaves, and terminal racemes of white or 



pink, bilabiate flowers, arranged in six-flowered verticil- 

 lasters. 



Observe the square stem and invariably opposite leaves of 

 the Family: the apparently whorled flowers of the Type, made 

 up of a pair of opposite three-flowered cymes : the upper 

 tooth of the calyx of Sweet Basil, which enlarges after flower- 

 ing, becoming membranous, with decurrent adnata margins : 

 the diandrous flowers oi Salvia, with the anther-cells removed 

 from each other by a long {disiractile) connective, which 

 must not be mistaken for the true filament, which is very 

 short : the four-lobed ovary, similar to that of Borages 

 (page 248), with the style rising from between the lobes 

 {gynobasic), 



A large, widely-distributed Family, characterised by 

 aromatic properties. None of the species are hurtful, and 

 many are useful pot-herbs, as Mint {Mentha), Marjoram 

 (Origanum), Thyme {Thymus), Sage {Salvia), and our Type- 

 species. The fragrant oils of some species, as Lavender 

 (Lavendula) and Patchouli {Pogostemo7i), are in request as 

 perfumes, while others are serviceable stimulant medicines. 



