the BrU'Jb Species of Mentha. fj^ 



it, we quote the Herbarium orfpecimcn on which our knowledge is 

 founded. So in quoting Linnaeus, we only anfwer for his own 

 names, and by no means for any of his fynonyms ; for I am forry 

 to fay he is in that department more incorrect than moft other 

 writers, even in his moft accurate and ingenious Flora Lapponica, 

 . and very much fo in his laboured Hortus Clifortianus. DUlenius 

 has made many fimilar miftakcs, and the works of Hallet abound 

 with them. How ill-advifed therefore are thofe who copy fyno- 

 nyms from any author without examining them ! This is a truth 

 I have often inculcated, but it cannot be too ftrongly enforced. 

 Let thofe who think it unimportant purfue with me the hiftoiy of 

 the Eritifh Mints. 



Dr. How enumerates 8 fpecies of Mentha and Menthajlrum, in- 

 cluding Calamintha aquatica and Pulegium. One of thefe, *' The 

 great curled Mint of Germany," Mentha crt/pa Danka aut Germanica 

 fplnofa^ has never been fuppofed to be Britilh, and is left out even 

 by Merrett. Another is the Cat Mint, Nepeta Cataria of Linnaeus. 

 The 6 remaining fpecies I find no difficulty in afcertaining, and (hall 

 quote in their proper places. 



The P'max of Merrett contains il fuppofed fpecies of Mint, two 

 of which belong to Mentha Pulegium, a third is Nepeta Cataria., ano- 

 ther (Calamintha aquatica) is Mentha arvenfis. Five of the remaining 

 ones are marked with an afterilk as being added by himfelf to the 

 lift of Britifti plants, and of thefe the 4 laft are as unintelligible to 

 me as to Dillenius, nor do I know how they are to be afcertained. 

 I (hall tranfcribe all Merrett fays upon the fubjedl. 



" Mentha odorata flore cineritio. Five miles from Gloucefter, in 

 the way to Hereford. 



" Mentha Balfamita vel latifolia odorata. In the way betwixt Pem- 

 fey and Lewes in Suflex. Diutiffimc durat odor ejus fuaviffimus. 



" Mentha 



