216 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Eminent authorities refer the peppermint as a variety to Mentha 

 aquatica, L., .the Water-Mint of Europe, North- America, West- and 

 North- Asia, from which the true Crisp Mint (M. crispa, Linne) is 

 again derived, as well as the Bergamot-Mint (M. citrata, Ehrhart). 



Mentha Pulegium, Linne". 



The true "Penny-royal." Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa. 

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

 soil. To be avoided on pastures, as not readidly repressed. 



Mentha rotundifolia, Linne. 



Western and Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia. 

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

 be profitably utilized. In odor this mint approaches to Melissa. The 

 French and Italian Crisp Mint is partly derived from this species. 

 Closely allied to the following, and often regarded as a variety of M. 

 viridis. 



Mentha silvestris, Linne". 



The " Horse-Mint." Europe, Northern Africa, temperate Asia. 

 Perennial. One of the Crisp Mints is derived from this species. 

 Hardy, like the three preceding species, to lat. 59 55' in Norway, 

 (Schuebeler). ' f ' . 



Mentha viridis, Linne". 



The " Spearmint." Middle and Southern Europe. Perennial. A 

 particular sort of Crisp Mint (M. crispata, Schrader) belongs to this 

 species. Readily propagated like other mints by division of the root. 



Menyanthes trifoliata, Linne". 



Inappropriately called the Bog-bean or Buck-bean. Europe, 

 Northern and Middle Asia, North- America. In springy and spongy 

 bogs. A perennial herb of great beauty, which could be naturalized 

 with facility in any cold regions. Indigenous as far north as lat. 71 

 10' in Norway (Prof. Schuebeler). The root is starchy. The whole 

 plant is pervaded with a bitter principle, largely derived from meny- 

 anthin. The plant is used medicinally as a tonic and febrifuge. 



Meriandra Abyssinica, F. v. Mueller. (M. Benghalensis, Bentham.) 



Abyssinia, on high mountains. A shrub of penetrating odor; 

 utilized much like sage. 



Mesembrianthemum acinaciforme, Linne". 



The " Hottentot-fig" of South-Africa. Under the same vernacular 

 name is also comprised the distinct M. edule, L. Both should be 

 transferred to any of the most inhospitable desert-regions, as they 

 afford in the inner part of their fruit a really palatable and copious 

 food. M. edule proved hardy in Southern England. 



Mesembrianthemum aequilaterale, Haworth. 



Australia and West-coast of America. This widely creeping species 

 spreads, readily over saline ground, whether clayey, sandy or rocky. 



