I.] 



LABIATE. 



195 



Observe, also, the stamens of Sage (Salvia), remark- 

 able for the great length of the connective the portion of 

 the anther connecting the pollen-containing lobes. In 

 Labiatse the connective is usually dilated, so that the 

 anther-lobes, instead of being parallel, -are divergent at 

 the base, or even in a straight line, as in White Dead- 

 nettle ; but in Salvia this dilatation is carried to such an 

 excess that the connective becomes ni-ich longer than the 



FIG. 132. Vertical section of bila- 

 biate flower of White Deadnettle. 



FIG. 133. Epipetalous stamen of 

 Sage, showing the very short 

 filament and long (distractile) 

 connective. The lower anther- 

 lobe is abortive. Rudiments of 

 two suppressed stamens are also 

 shown. 



filament, for which it is apt to be mistaken ; one of the 

 separated anther-lobes becoming more or less abortive. 



None of the Order is hurtful, and many species are 

 aromatic, from the presence of essential oil contained in 

 glands immersed in the tissue of the leaves. The oil may 

 be separated by distillation. In this way Oils of Pepper- 

 mint, Lavender, Thyme; and Rosemary are obtained. 

 Lavender-water is prepared by dissolving the Oil of 

 Lavender in spirits of wine. Many Labiates are 

 valuable kitchen-herbs, as Mint (Mentha), Penny-royal 

 (Mentha Pulegium\ Marjoram (Origanuni), Thyme 



O 2 



