622 CLXXV. LABIATE. 



TRIBE III. MONARDEJE. Stamens 2, straight or ascending. Anther-cells linear-oblong, 

 solitary or separated by a long connective. Meriandra, *Salvia, *Rosmarinus, *Monarda, *Zizy- 

 phora, &c. 



TRIBE IV. NEPETE.E. Stamens 4, the posticous (upper) pair always the longest. Loph~ 

 anthus, Nepeta, *Dracocephalum ) *Cedronella t &c. 



TRIBE V. STACHYDE.S. Stamens 4, parallel and ascending under the upper lip. Nucules 

 quite free, erect. * Prunella, * Scutellai-ia, Melittis, *Sideritis, Marrubium-, Anisomeles, *Betonica, 

 *Stac7iys, Leonurus, *Lamium, Ballota, Leucas, *Phlomis, &c. 



TRIBE VI. PRASIE.E. Stamens of Stachydece. Nucules fleshy, sub-connate at the base. 

 Gomphostemma, Phyllostegium, Stenagyne, Prasium. 



TRIBE VII. PROSTANTHER;E. Nucules usually rugose, connate at the base, style persistent. 

 Corolla-throat campanulate, lobes flat. (Australia.) *ProstantJtcra, Hemiandra, Nicrocoris, 

 Westringia, &c. 



TRIBE VIII. AJUGOIDE^;. Nucules rugose, sub-connate at the base. Stamens parallel, 

 ascending. Upper lip of corolla minute or 2-fid with declinate lobes. *Teucrium, Ajuga, Tri- 

 cliostemma, &c. ED.] 



Labiate form one of the most natural groups of plants ; the characters of its members are so uniform 

 that it may be called monoli/jric, as if all the species could be comprehended in a single genus, and the 

 discrimination of its genera is hence often very difficult. For the same reason the affinities of Labiates 

 are but few. We have noticed their connection with Scrophtdarincee, Boiragincee, and Acanthaceee. They 

 approach nearest to Verbenaccee, which differ only in the coherence of the parts of the ovary, the terminal 

 style, the berried or drupaceous fruit, the leaves not constantly opposite, and the absence of oleiferous 

 vesicular glands. It is in the temperate regions of the Old World that the majority of Labiates are found ; 

 they are not numerous beyond 50 north latitude or in the tropics, and are less frequent in the southern 

 hemisphere ; from the arctic regions they are completely absent. 



A volatile oil is contained in the vesicular glands of Labiates which in some species holds in solution 

 a solid hydrocarbon (stearoptcne) analogous to camphor ; to the different proportions in which these sub- 

 stances are united to bitter and astringent principles the various properties of its members are due. 

 The purely aromatic species are condiments, stimulants, [carminatives], or cosmetics ; especially Pepper- 

 mint [(McntJtapiperita), Spearmint (M. viridi) t and Pennyroyal (M. TW^j'wm)], Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), 

 Savory (Satureia hortemis and montana), Balm (Melissa oflicinalis), Basil Thyme (Calamintha Acinos), Lemon 

 Thyme (Thymus ritriodonis) , [Sweet Basil (Ocymvm Basilicuni), Bengal Sage (Meriandra bengalensis), 

 Sage (Salvia grandiflora and officinalis), Marjoram (Origanum Majorana, Onites, &c.), Hyssop (Hyssopus 

 offidnalis)~\. The powerful stimulating properties of Rosemary, utilized medicinally in Hungary water, 

 are due to its volatile oil and stearoptene [it is also an ingredient in Eau de Cologne, and in the green 

 pomades, having the power of encouraging the growth of hair]. When the aromatic principle is com- 

 bined with the bitter one, they are stimulating and tonic (Marjoram, Lavender, &c.). The very 

 strong-scented essence of Lavanduln Sjrica (Oil of Lavender) is used as an embrocation in rheumatic affec- 

 tions, [and as Oil of Spike by painters]. The common Lavender (L. vera), cultivated in gardens, is used 

 to preserve linen, woollen, and furs from insects ; as is Patchouly, an Indian species of Pogotemon. 



Teucrium, which contains gallic acid and a bitter principle, is a tonic. Scutellaria galericulata was 

 formerly employed in tertian fevers. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is bitter and slightly acrid ; it is 

 used as a bechic and antiscorbutic. Marrubium, in which the bitter overcomes the aroma, is recom- 

 mended as a tonic. Finally, Sage (Salvia officinalis) combines all the medicinal properties of the other 

 Labiatte, whence its stimulating, tonic, and astringent virtues, and its trivial name. [Others are 

 Horehound (Marnibium vufyari*), a popular and excellent remedy in cough sj and Lycopns europaus, which 

 yields a black dye.] 



