IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 193 



Mentha piperita, Linne.* 



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 

 cultivated in the mountain regions or naturalized 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, as not readily repressed. 



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 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, 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. Benghaletisis, Bentham.) 



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

 utilised much like sage. 

 N 



