10 EXGLISH EOTANV. 



England, [Scotland, Ireland]. Perennial. Autumn. 



The peppermint is easily distinguishable from all the preceding 

 mints by its stalked leaves. In shaj^e those of var. a. resemble those 

 of M. ^^ridis, but they are darker and duller green, with the sides less 

 parallel ; the spikes are always much shorter, thicker, and blunter, 

 the pedicels and calyx more often tinged with purple ; the calyx teeth 

 shorter in proportion ; the corolla of a redder and paler purple. 



Var. 3. approaches M. citrata or aquatica in the form of the leaves 

 and the capitate arrangement of the spike, and might have been con- 

 sidered as more than a mere variety, but for the occurrence of a plant 

 found by Smith at the corner of Saham Mere, near Wotton, Norfolk, 

 which has the broad leaves of var. 3. in combination with the elongated 

 spikes of var. a ; and ]\Ir. T. R. Archer Briggs has sent me from Corn- 

 wall a foi'm with the narrow leaves of var. a and the capitate spikes of 

 var. 3. I am indebted to Mr. W. Foggit, of Thirsk, for fresh speci- 

 mens of var. 3. which I have never gathered myself. 



Peppermint. 



Frenct, Menthe Poivree. German, Pfefferminze. 



Two species of mint were used by the ancient Greek physicians, which were called 

 j/Suorr^oE iji-iepoc, or jjlydr] and KaXafiii'dri. But some writers doubt whether either of 

 these was the modern peppermint. It came into general use in the medicine of western 

 Europe only about the middle of the last century, and in the first instance in England. 

 All parts of the herb abound in a strong-smelling essential oil, which, when applied 

 to the tongue, has a hot aromatic taste at first, and afterwards produces a sensation 

 of coldness in the mouth. Both in its fresh and dried state the herb yields its 

 properties by distillation to water and to spirit. In this way are obtained the Aqua, 

 Spii'itus, and Oleum Menthse of the Pharmacopoeia. Eresh leaves yield the largest 

 quantity and best quality of these preparations, though the dried leaves are often 

 used for convenience. Peppermint contains a little tannin, as its infusion becomes 

 dark green with the salts of sesqui chloride of iron, but its volatile oil is its chief 

 characteristic. Its chief use in medicine is to cover the disagreeable flavours of other 

 remedies ; it is also a mild stimulant and anti-spasmodic, and is largely used in the 

 treatment of gastric diseases. The cultivation of Peppermint forms an extensive 

 business in some parts of England, America,, and on the Continent. At Mitcham, 

 near London, there are large fields of it grown. It requii-es a moderately rich soil, 

 and the quality of the oil is best when it grows in dry ground. When required for 

 distillation, the crop should be allowed to stand until the heads are coming into 

 flower, and then be cut down immediately. On an average, 7 lbs. of oil are extracted 

 from 1 ton of the herb. Much of the oil is consumed by confectioners in making 

 peppermint lozenges and sweetmeats. 



SPECIES VI.— M ENTHA PUBESCENS. Wilhl. 

 Plates MXXVI. MXXVII. 



Baher, Jom-n. Bot. 1865, p. 242. 



M. nepetoides Lej. Koch, Syn. Fl. Germ, et Helv. ed. ii. p. 633. 



Leaves shortly but distinctly stalked, oblong-elliptical, oblong-lance- 



