in ^Extra-Tropical Countries* 215 



Melilotus officinalis, Desrousseaux. 



Europe and Middle Asia. In Norway hardy to lat. 76 17'. 

 Biennial, or lasting through several years, if prevented from flowering. 

 Contains- also cumarin. An allied species is M. macrorrhiza (Persoon). 

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

 Grown on the coast it becomes less odorous. Honey from this and 

 closely allied plants exquisite. 



Melissa officinalis, Linn<$. 



The Balm-Herb. Southern Europe and Western Asia. A peren- 

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

 oil. This herb is also important as a bee-plant. Readily propagated 

 by division of the root. 



Melocalamus compactiflorus, Bentham. 



Martaban, ascending to 6,000 feet. This Bamboo attains a height 

 of 25 feet, and is somewhat scandent. 



Melocanna bambusoides, Trinius. 



The Berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other mountainous 

 parts of India, as well as of the Archipelagus. Height to 70 feet 

 (Kurz). The fruit is very large, fleshy, size of a small pear, and 

 contains a seed, which is said to be very pleasant eating (Masters). 

 It is a thornless Bamboo, growing on dry slopes of hills. Height 

 reaching 70 feet; circumference towards base 1 foot; growth beauti- 

 fully erect. 



Melocanna Travancorica. (Beesha Travancorica, Beddome.) 

 A Bamboo from Travancore, worthy of introduction, -tj 



Mentha arvensis, Linn<$. 



Europe, extra-tropical. Asia. The variety piperascens of this 

 perennial herb constitutes the peculiar Japan Peppermint. From the 

 distilled oil of this by refrigeration the crystalline menthol is obtained 

 in unusually large proportion for medicinal purposes (E. Holmes, T. 

 Christy). 



Mentha laxiflora, Bentham. 



Victoria and the most southern parts of New South Wales. This, 

 the Australian " Forest-Mint," furnishes a peculiarly pleasant oil, 

 not dissimilar to that of peppermint. A fair oil can also be distilled 

 from M. Australis (R. Brown), the common "River-Mint" of South- 

 Eastern Australia. 



Mentha piperita, Linn&* 



The " Peppermint." Middle-Europe. This well known perennial 

 herb is important for its peculiar essential oil. This distilled oil is in 

 considerable demand, and would be best obtained from plants culti- 

 vated in mountain-regions or naturalized along forest-rivulets. The 

 annual production of oil of peppermint is estimated at 90,000 Ibs., 

 two-thirds of which are prepared in the State of New York (Masters). 



