LABIATE TRIBE. 475 



natural order, comprising upwards of 2,000 species, 

 which agree in having square stems, opposite leaves, 

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

 single style arising from the base of the lobes. They 

 are most abundant in temperate climates, and are re- 

 markable for not possessing injurious properties in any 

 single instance. Many are fragrant and aromatic : 

 Patchouli is a favouriie perfume, both in its natural 

 state and when distilled. Lavender contains a fragrant 

 volatile oil, which is valued both for its fragrance, and 

 as a medicine for its stimulant properties. Several 

 kinds of mint, as Peppermint and Pennyroyal, are much 

 used in medicine. Spear-mint, Basil, Thyme, Marjoram, 

 Savory, and Sage, are commonly used as pot-herbs, fur- 

 nishing both agreeable and wholesome condiments. 

 Horehound, Ground-Ivy, and Balm, are in rural dis- 

 tricts popular remedies for chest complaints. Rosemary 

 is remarkable for its undoubted power of encouraging 

 the growth of the hair, and curing baldness, and is the 

 active ingredient in most good pomatums ; an infusion 

 of it prevents the hair from uncurling in damp weather ; 

 and it is one of the plants used in the preparation of 

 Hungary water, and Eau de Cologne. The admired 

 , flavour of Narbonne honey is ascribed to the bees feed- 

 ing on the flowers of this plant, as that of the honey of 

 Hymettus is indebted for its flavour to Wild Thyme. 

 Several species of Sage (Salvid) are also cultivated for 

 the beauty of their flowers. 



* Stamens 2. 



1. LYCOPUS (Gipsy- wort). Calyx 5-toothed ; corolla 

 4-cleft, nearly regular. (Name in Greek signifying 

 a Wolf's-foot, from a fancied resemblance in the 

 leaves.) 



2. SALVIA (Sage). Calyx 2-lipped ; corolla gaping ; 

 filaments forked. (Name from the Latin salveo, to be 

 well, from the healing properties of the genus.) 



