28 LABIATJE 



Order LXII. LABIATE— LABIATE TRIBE. 



Calyx tubular, regular or 2-lipped ; corolla irregular, mostly 2-lipped 

 (labiate), the lower lip largest, and 3-lobed ; perfect stamens 4, 2 longer than 

 the others, or sometimes wanting ; ovaiy deeply 4-lobed ; style 1 ; stigma 

 2-cleft ; fruit of four seeds, each of which is inclosed within a distinct shell 

 or rind, and all lying at the bottom of the calyx. This is a large order, 

 marked by very distinct and obvious features, the plants having square stems, 

 usually opposite leaves, labiate or 2-lipped flowers, and a 4-lobed ovary, with 

 a single style arising from the base of the lobes, and, in a large number of 

 the genera, four stamens, two long and two short. Not a single plant of the 

 order possesses any poisonous properties, the Betony only being slightly 

 acrid ; many are highly aromatic, and more or less bitter, and have cordial, 

 tonic, and stomachic virtues ; some, which abound in essential oil, are used 

 as stimulants. Many, like the Balm, Sage, Marjoram, and Thyme, are 

 valued as seasoning herbs, and several, like the Mint, for medicine. Others, 

 as Lavender and Rosemary, are lai'gely employed in perfumery. The latter 

 plant is mingled with other ingredients in eau-de-Cologne, and the essential 

 oil of several, like the Sage and Lavender, contains so much camphor that it 

 has been supposed that the separation of it might become an object of 

 commerce. Rosemary yields camphor in a great degree; and Professor 

 Lindley, as well as other botanists, considered an infusion of this plant 

 decidedly useful as a wash for improving the hair both in strength and 

 quantity. The flavour of the Narbonne honey is ascribed to the bees feeding 

 on Rosemary flowers, as that of the honey of Hymettus was said to owe its 

 taste to their having gathered it from wild Thyme. The Labiate plants are 

 most abundant in temperate climates, and in our country their flowers are 

 more frequent during autumn than at any other season. 



* Stamens 2. 



\. Gipsy Wort (Lycopus). — Calyx 5-toothed ; corolla 4-cleft, nearly 

 regular. Name from lucos, a wolf, and i^ow.% a foot, from a fancied resem- 

 blance of the leaves to a wolf's paw. 



2. Sage, or Clary (Salvia). — Calyx 2-lipped ; corolla gaping ; filaments 

 forked. Name from the Latin salvo, to heal, from the healing properties of 

 the geims. 



* * Stamens 4. 



t Corolla nearly regular, its tube scarcely longer than the calyx ; stamens 

 sp-eading upwards. 



3. Mint (Mentha). — Calyx equal, 5-toothed ; corolla 4-lobed, with a veiy 

 short tube. Name, the Latin name of the plant. 



t t Corolla 2-lipped, the tube about as long as the calyx ; lips nearly equal in 

 length ; staiiiens nearly equal. 



4. Thyme (Thymus). — Calyx 2-lipped, 10 — 13-ribbed, the throat hairy; 

 corolla with the upper lip notched, the lower 3-cleft ; flowers in heads or 

 whorls. Name, the Latin name of the plant. 



