310 NATURAL HISTORY. 



from which, however, it often strays abroad. Thrives 

 best in wet places. Has a strong, pleasant, aromatic 

 odor, a penetrating taste, pungent to the tongue at first, 

 afterwards followed by a sensation of coldness. Essence 

 of peppermint is well known as a medicine ; acting as a 

 cordial in flatulency, nausea, etc. *? . 



Spearmint (M. Viridis, M. tenuis Michx.), Water 

 Horehoimd (L. Sinuatus), Dittany (Cunila, L.), Wild 

 Basil (Clinopodium) are all nearly related to the genus 

 Mentha. 



Summer Savory (Saturegahortensis). Stem erect, 

 much branched ; leaves numerous, small, and narrow ; 

 under surface spotted ; flowers, purplish-pink, stand in 

 axillary cymes. Grows wild in the south of Europe ; 

 further north and in the United States planted in gar- 

 dens as a culinary aromatic. In Germany eaten as a 

 seasoning to beans, h. 



Hyssop (Hysopus officinalis). Stem erect, branching, 

 rough, and hairy ; leaves lanceolate, acute, punctate ; 

 flowers whitish or pale pink, arranged in terminal spikes. 

 A handsome plant, found growing wild on dry hills in 

 the south of Europe ; cultivated in gardens for its 

 reputed medicinal properties ; used as a popular febri- 

 fuge. The odor of the hyssop (Ezob of the Jews) is 

 strongly aromatic and agreeable ; taste bitter and cam- 

 phor-like. 2 . 



Catnip or Catmint (Nepeta Cataria) has an erect, 

 woolly stalk ; leaves oval, heart-shaped, crenate, or 

 tooth-like ; grows everywhere on rubbish-heaps or about 

 old buildings and fences. Sometimes found in gardens, 

 as it is believed to be possessed of medicinal properties. 

 About three feet high ; taste aromatic-bitter. Cats are 

 very fond of the plant, and devour it with the greatest 



