464 ORDER XCI. LABIATE. 



1. M vir'idis, (L.) Stem procumbent, assurgent, branching, glabrous, 

 rooting at the joints. Leaves opposite, ovate-lanceolate, serrulate, on 

 short petioles. Flowers in whorls, numerous; tube of the corolla rather 

 longer than the calyx. Stamens short. Seeds 4. — Purple. 1^. July 

 — Aug. In wet soils. Europe. 1 — 2 feet. Spearmint. 



2. M. PIPERITA, (L.) Stem like the preceding, often purplish. Leaves 

 ovate-oblong, acute, serrate, rounded at the base. Whorls crowded in 

 short spikes; teeth of the calyx hairy. Corolla smooth. — Pale purple. 

 England. Peppermint. 



The first is the species from which the Oil of Peppermint of the shops is obtained. 

 This oil exists in the whole plant, and is distilled with water, or it yields the oH to 

 alcohol by maceration. It is an aromatic stimulant, and is extensively used as a fam 

 ily medicine. 



Genus III— LYCO'PUS. L. 2—1. 



(From lukos, a wolf, and pous, a foot) 



Calyx tubular, campanulate, 5-cleft ; throat naked. Corolla 

 tubular, 4-cleft ; segments nearly equal, the upper segment 

 rather broader and emarginate. Stamens 2, (W^i-dni. Seeds 4. 



1. L. Viegin'icus, (L.) Stem erect, square, pubescent, branched. 

 Leaves broad-lanceolate, serrate, sessile, acuminate, tapering at tlie 

 base. Floivers in crowded axillary whorls, sessile. Calyx persistent, 

 unarmed, shorter than the seed. Anthers 2-lobed, purple. — White. If. 

 June — Aug. Wet soils. Common. 1 — 2 feet. Buyle-weed. 



2. L. angustifo'lius, (Ell.) Stem erect, glabrous, square. Leaves 

 narrow lanceolate, acuminate, the upper ones slightly, and the lower 

 ones deeply toothed. Flowers in dense whorls, sessile. Calyx armed 

 •with spines, longer than the seed, with the segments acuminate. — 

 White. U. Aug. — Sept. Wet places. 1 — 2 ft. Water Horehound. 



3. L. sinua'tus, (Ell.) Stem erect, furrowed, glabrous, square. 

 I^eaves sinuate and incised, and sometimes dentate ; the segments acute. 

 Flowers in dense sessile whorls ; segments of the calyx acute, longer 

 than the seeds. — White. If. Aug. — Sept. In swamps. 4 — 6 feet. 



The Lycapus Virginicus is a medicinal plant possessing mild narcotic properties. 

 In hemorrhage from the lungs it has been used with advantage, it being taken in 

 the form of infusion. 



Genus IV.— CU'NILA. L. 13—1. 



Caly.v ovoid, many-nerved, 5-toothed ; throat villous. Co- 

 rolla 2-lipped, upper lip flat, emarginate, lower o-lobed. Sta- 

 mens 2, exserted, distant. 



1. C. Maria'na, (L.) Stem much branched, purple. Leaves sub- 

 sessile, ovate, subcordate, serrate. Flowers in corymbose cymes. — 

 Pale red. If. Dry hills and rocks. July — Aug. Common Dittany, 



Genus V.— PYCNAN'THEMUM. Mich. 13—1. 

 (From puTcnos, dense, and anthos, flower.) 



Calyx tubular, striate, many-nerved, 5-toothed. Corolla with 

 the upper lip nearly entire, the lower one trifid, with the middle 

 segment longest. Stamens 4, distant. Cells of the anthers 



