184- SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



naturalised along- the forest rivulets. Eminent authorities refer 

 the Peppermint as a variety to Mentha aquatica (L.), the 

 Water Mint of Europe, North Africa, West and North Asia, 

 from which the true Crisp Mint (M. crispa, L.) is again 

 derived, as well as the Bergamot Mint (M. citrata, Ehrh.) . 



Mentha Pulegium, Linne. 



The true Penny-royal. Europe, Western Asia, North Africa. 

 A perennial scent-herb, yielding a peculiar ethereal oil. It 

 likes moist soil. To be avoided on pastures. 



Mentha rotundifolia, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Western Asia. 

 Fond of wet places, which by the culture of this and other 

 mints may be profitably utilised. In odour this mint ap- 

 proaches to Melissa. The French and Italian Crisp Mint is 

 partly derived from this species. Closely allied to the fol- 

 lowing, and often regarded as a variety of M. viridis, L. 



Mentha silvestris, Linne. 



The Horse Mint. Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia. 

 Perennial. One of the Crisp Mints is derived from this 

 species. 



Mentha viridis, Linne. 



The Spear Mint. Middle and South Europe. Perennial. 

 A particular sort of Crisp Mint (M. crispata, Schrad.) belongs 

 to this species. Some Australian Mints M. Australis, M. 

 gracilis, and M. saturejoides, R. Br. also yield oil of good 

 flavour; but M. laxiflora, Benth., is far the largest and most 

 abundant of these Australian plants. 



Menyanthes trifoliata, Linne. 



Inappropriately called the Bog Bean. Europe, North and 

 Middle Asia, North America. In springy and spongy bogs. 

 A perennial herb of great beauty, which could be naturalised 

 with facility in our Alps. The root is starchy. The whole 

 plant is pervaded with a bitter principle, largely derived from 

 menyanthin. The plant is used medicinally as a tonic and 

 febrifuge. 



Meriandra Abyssinica, F. v. Mueller. (M . Benghalensis, Ben- 

 tham.) 



Abyssinia, on high mountains. A shrub of penetrating odour, 

 utilised much like sage. 



