COROLLIFI,OE.^. 611 



flowers of this plant. The dried leaves are sometimes employed as a substi- 

 tute for China Tea. 



Salvia ojficinaHs, Common or Garden Sage. — The leaves were formerly 

 much employed as tea. An infusion of Sage is frequently used in the United 

 States as a gargle in common sore throat and when the uvula is relaxed. It 

 is also stimulant, carminative, and anti-emetic. Sage is also employed by 

 the cook as a flavouring agent, &.c. 



Thymus vulgaris, Common or Garden Thyme, yields by distillation the 

 volatile oil known as Oil of Thyme. (See Origanum.) This and other 

 species of Thymus are also employed by the cook as flavouring agents, &c. 



Natural Order 169. Vekbenacejs.— The Vervain Order (^y. 999). 

 — Character. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite or al- 

 ternate, exstipulate. Cali/x persistent, tubular. Corolla usually 

 more or less 2-lipped, or irregular. Steimens 4, usually didyna- 

 mous, or rarely equal ; sometimes there are but p- ggg 

 2 stamens ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary {fig. 999) 2 ^' 



or 4-celled ; style 1, terminal {fig. 999); stigma 

 simple or bifid. Fniit dry or drupaceous, com- 

 posed of from 2 — 4 carpels, -which when ripe 

 usually separate into a- many iudehiscent 1 -seeded 

 achaenia. Seed erect or ascending, with little or 

 no albumen, and an inferior radicle. 



Diagnosis. — Known at once from the Labiatse 

 by their more coherent carpels and terminal style. 



Distribution, ^x: — They are found both in -^[^.-f 9- f i^yLiu! 

 temperate and tropical regions. Examples of the (V'^rhena.) 

 Genera : — Verbena, Lantana, Tectona, Clerodendron. There are 

 above 660 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Many of the plants are slightly aro- 

 matic and bitter, but there are no important medicinal plants 

 included in this order. Some are valuable timber trees. The 

 fleshy fruits of other species are edible ; the leaves of a few 

 are used as substitutes for China Tea. Many are cultivated 

 in our gardens for the beauty of their flowers and for their 

 fragrance, as the different species and varieties of Verbena, the 

 Aloysia or Lippia citriodora, the Sweet Verbena or Lemon- 

 plant, &c. 



Clerodendron. — Tlie leaves of C. infortunatum, an Indian species, possess 

 tonic and antiperiodic properties. 



Gmelina parvifolia and G. asiaiica have demulcent properties. 



Lantana pseudo-thea is used in the Brazils as tea, under the name of Capitdo 

 da matte. Some species of Lantana have edible fruits. 



Stachi/tarpha ja7}iaicpnsis is reputed to be purgative and anthelmintic. Its 

 leaves are sometimes employed in Austria as a substitute for, or to adulterate, 

 China tea. This is known imder the name of Brazilian tea. 



Tectona grandis. Indian Teak-tree or Indian Oak, is the soiirce of the 

 very hard and durable wood known as East Indian Teak, which is employed 

 in ship-building, &c. 



FiYex.— Several species of this genus have acrid fraits, as those of F. fri- 

 folia, Wild Pepper, V. Negundo, and V. Agnuscastus. The fresh leaves of the 

 two former species are in great repute in India for their discutient proper- 

 ties. They are also regarded as anodyne, diuretic, and emmenagogue. 



Katural Order 170. Myoporace.t:. — The Myopora Ordt-r. — 

 n R 2 



