WHITE DEAD NETTLE.— Zf/««V«« all 



Class DiDYNAMiA. Order Gymnospermia. Kat. Ord. Labiat^e, 

 Labiate Tribe. 



The foliage of this plant bears a strong 

 resemblance to that of the nettle. For this 

 reason, and because it is destitute of stinging 

 properties, it is named Dead or Blind Nettle. 

 There arc four other species, but these are not 

 much like nettles. The AMiite Dead Nettle is 

 among the earliest of spring flowers, and may 

 be gathered at almost any time during the 

 summer, though most abundant in June and 

 Jidy. The number of its flowers varies from 

 ten to twenty in a whorl ; and it abounds on 

 field borders, hedges and waste places, its 

 blossoms being occasionally tinged with pink. 

 At the base of th^ flower lies a store of honey 

 for bee, or butterfly, or other insect. The odour 

 of this plant, as well as of the other species, 

 is rather unpleasant. Bishop Mant has de- 

 scrilxjd them : — 



" And there, with whorls encircHng graced, 

 Of white, and purple-tinted red, . 

 The harmless Nettle's helmed head ; 

 Less apt with fragrance to delight 

 The smell, than please the curious sight." 



