IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 183 



Melilotus coerulea, Lamarck. 



South Europe and North Africa. An annual, very odorous 

 fodder herb. It forms an ingredient of the green Swiss 

 cheese, which owes its flavour and colour chiefly to this plant. 



Melilotus officinalis, Desrousseaux. 



Europe and Middle Asia, Also biennial, or lasting through 

 several years if prevented from flowering. Contains also 

 cumarin. An allied species is M. macrorrhiza, Pers. Both 

 serve purposes similar to those for which M. alba is employed. 

 Grown on the coast it becomes less odorous. 



Melissa officinalis, Linne. 



The Balm Herb. South Europe and Middle Asia. A peren- 

 nial herb, valuable for its scent, which depends on a peculiar 

 volatile oil. It is also valuable as a bee plant. 



Melocanna bambusoides, Trinius. 



The Berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other moun- 

 tainous parts of India, as well as of the Archipelagus. The 

 fruit is very large, fleshy, like an apple, and contains a seed 

 which is said to be very pleasantea ting (Masters). It is 

 a thornless bamboo, growing on dry slopes of hills. Height 

 up to 70 feet; circumference towards base, 1 foot; growth 

 beautifully erect. 



Melocanna humilis, Roeper. 



India. More slender than the preceding species, and attain- 

 ing only a height of 20 feet. 



Melocanna Travancorica. (Beeska Tmvancorica, Beddome.) 

 A new bamboo from Travancore, worthy of introduction. 



Mentha laxiflora, Bentham. 



Victoria and the most southern parts of New South Wales. 

 This, the Australian Forest Mint, furnishes a peculiarly plea- 

 sant oil, not dissimilar to that of peppermint. A fair oil can 

 also be distilled from M. Australia (R. Brown), the common 

 River Mint of South-East Australia. 



Mentha piperita, Linne.* 



The Peppermint. Middle Europe. This well-known peren- 

 nial herb is important for its peculiar essential oil. This 

 distilled oil is in considerable demand, and would be best 

 obtained from plants cultivated in the mountain regions or 



