Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 307 



Melilotus dentatus, Persoon. 



Middle and Southern Europe and Asia. A biennial herb, fit also 

 for somewhat saline ground and superior to its congeners as a pasture- 

 herb in being less odorous [Vilbouchevitch]. 



Melissa officinalis, Linne. 



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

 perennial 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. Cultivated in Norway to lat. 

 63 26'. 



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 moun- 

 tainous parts of India, as well as of the Archipelagus. Height to 

 70 feet [Kurz]. The fruit is of the size of a small pear, fleshy, and 

 contains a seed, which is said to be very pleasant eating [Masters], 

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

 ference towards base 1 foot ; growth beautifully erect. 



Mentha aquatica, Linne. 



Europe, Northern Asia. A perennial herb. To a variety of this 

 species belongs M. citrata (Ehrhart), the lemon-scented Minth. The 

 spelling should not be Mint, because Hippocrates and Theophrastos 

 and so also subsequent Greek authors wrote the name so as to require 

 it to be written Minth. 



Mentha arvensis, Linne. 



Europe, extra-tropical Asia; indigenous in Norway to lat. 64 48'. 

 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]. The plant is said to have been 

 used in Japan at least 2,000 years [Christy]. Mints of various kinds 

 could probably be reared with advantage also as antimalarian. 



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. Australia (R. Brown), the common " River-Mini; " of South- 

 Eastern Australia. 



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