LABIATE 



113 



flowers, and a round flat capsule, containing large 

 seeds which make a rattling sound when dry. 



Among the smaller plants belonging to this 

 Order we may mention the different species 

 of Eyebright {Euphrasia), small plants, with 

 white, reddish or yellow flowers, growing among 

 grass ; and Speedwell ( Veronica), with blue or 

 occasionally white flowers, not unlike those of a 

 Forget-me-not ; but the leaves are broader and 

 denticulated. 



In former times a preparation of Eyebright was 

 used as a specific for the eyes ; and Milton tells 

 us that when the archangel Michael was about 

 to show Adam visions of the future of the 

 world, he 



"purged with euphrasy and rue 

 The visual nerve, for he had much to see." 



Order LVIII. Labiate (18 genera) 



This is a large group of herbaceous plants and 

 shrubs, with opposite leaves and tubular flowers, 

 with the corolla usually bilobate. There are 2 



stamens, or 4 in pairs, the ovary has 4 cells, each 

 containing a single seed, and a single style rises 

 from the centre of the carpels. 



Several of the plants included in this Order are 

 aromatic, such as Mint, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, 

 Lavender, etc. 



Sage — Salvia officinalis 



(Plate LXX) 



This is a common garden plant, but is a native 

 of Southern Europe, and is not indigenous in 

 Britain, though there are a few wild species 

 belonging to the same genus. The root throws 

 up several woody stems, and the leaves are stalked, 

 rather long and narrow, and wrinkled. They are 

 soft to the touch, and of a pale green colour. 

 The flowers stand in whorls at the ends of the 

 stems, and form a long loose spike. They are 

 most often blue, but sometimes white or lilac. 

 The calyx has 5 pointed teeth. The corolla has 

 2 stamens, and the style is long and curved. The 

 leaves are used for flavouring. 



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