182 CLASSIFICATION. 



The labiate flowers have mostly four stamens of unequal 

 length, standing in pairs, beneath an arch in the upper lip of 

 the corolla. On account of this circumstance, they are ranked 

 in the class Didynamia. 



A few of the labiate plants have but two stamens, and on 

 that account, are placed in the class Diandria, as the sage and 

 mountain mint (Monarda). Here again the artificial system 

 separates a tribe which nature has made strikingly similar. 

 Those of the labiate flowers which have but two stamens, ex- 

 hibit two other imperfect ones ; as if it had been the original 

 1 design of nature to have given them four stamens. Linnaeus 

 remarks that the insects which seem most fond of frequenting 

 these species, have also but two wings ; but that by -a careful 

 observation, the rudiments of two other wings may be found, 

 concealed under a little membrane. Who shall explain these 

 secret sympathies of nature 1 and yet we observe them on 

 every side ! 



If you examine a labiate flower, as balm or catmint, you will 

 see that the arched upper lip of the petals covers the stamens, 

 and that the lower lip hangs down, so that you can see the in- 

 side of the corolla. If you pull out the corolla you will take 

 the stamens along with it, the filaments being attached to it, as 

 they usually are to monopetalous corollas. The corolla has a 

 circular opening at the bottom, through which the pistil grew 

 from the receptacle. 



The labiate plants inhabit hills, and plains exposed to the 

 sun. The aroma which escapes from their flowers, denotes 

 their stimulating medicinal properties. Their action upon the 

 animal economy differs according to the quantity of essential 

 oil and of bitter principle which they contain ; when the former 

 prevails (as in mint), they are aromatic and stimulating ; when 

 the bitter principle is in excess (as in germander, teucrium), 

 they act as tonics and strengthen the digestive organs. 



The ringent flowers generally grow in whorls or circles, and 

 at the upper part of an angular stem, the leaves standing oppo- 

 site. These plants are never poisonous. Among them we 

 find many aromatic plants, the peppermint, lavender, savory, 

 marjorum, thyme, &c. ; also many herbs which are useful in 

 sickness, as pennyroyal, catmint, horehound, &c. ; the scullcap 

 (Scutellaria), which has been said to be a remedy for the hy- 

 drophobia, the modest Isanthus (blue gentian), and a little 7 

 flower of a most beautiful blue colour called Truhostcma (blue 

 curls). 



The personate division affords some very splendid flowers, 



Describe the labiate flowers Medicinal properties of the labiate plants 

 Plants with ringent flowers Personate flowers. 



