MATERIA MEDIC A. in 



mentioned English localities, yields, mainly from the 

 flowers, the favourite perfume, Oil of Lavender, that 

 prepared at Mitcham being by far the best. The 

 allied species L. Spica, DC, and L. Stcechas, L., yield 

 the less fragrant OIL OF SPIKE, which is used in 

 china-painting.* 



Thymus vulgaris, L., the GARDEN THYME of our 

 kitchen-gardens, a native of Southern Europe, is dis- 

 tilled in the South of France for the sake of its 

 essential oil, an external stimulant containing the 

 camphor Thymol, C 10 H 14 O.t This substance is now 

 prepared mainly from Ajowan fruits, Ammi Copticum, 

 L. (see p. 96, supra). 



Rosmarinus officinalis, L., ROSEMARY, a native of 

 the Mediterranean area, has long been in cultivation 

 with us. for the sake of its flowers and the volatile oil 

 distilled from them. This is used as a perfume and 

 as an external stimulant, being supposed to promote 

 the growth of the hair. It is largely produced in the 

 island of Lesina, Dalmatia, and exported from 

 Trieste.J 



Orthosiphon stamineus, Benth., of Java, is recom- 

 mended in affections of the kidneys and bladder. 



Marrubium vulgare, L., the HOREHOUND, is now 

 grown in California, to flavour honey for colds. || 



PLANTAGINE^:. 



The mucilaginous seeds of Plantago decumbens, 

 Forsk., ISPAGHUL, or SPOGEL, are used in India as a 

 demulcent drink, especially in dysentery .^[ 



Bentley and Trimen, iii., pi. 199. f Ibid., pi. 205. 



% Ibid., pi. 207. Christy, No. 10, p. 104. 



II Bentley and Trimen, iii., pi. 210. \ Ibid,, pi. 211. 



