i26 PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 



adensis is the only species of the mint family that is a native 

 of the Eastern United States. It has in common with its nu- 

 merous relatives little glands in the leaves in which is hidden a 

 volatile oil and wherein lies the strong flavour and fragrance 

 of the plants. It is one of their most attractive features and a 

 ready means of identification. 



The name Mentha is of mythological origin. According to 

 the story, a too attractive nymph, Mintha, the daughter of 

 Cocytus, was transformed by Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, into 

 these plants that now bear her name. 



OSWEGO-TEA. BEE BALM. (Plate LXff.) 

 Mondrda didyma. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



.Mint. Brilliant cardinal. Pleasantly fragrant. Throughout t/ie nortJi. ^uvi.iier. 



Flowers: clustered in a rounded head. Calyx: five-toothed; reddish; 

 naked in the throat. Corolla: tubular; two-lipped. Stamens: two; ex- 

 serted. Pistil: one; style, two-lobed, protruding. Leaves: opposite; 

 ovate ; on petioles ; those nearest the flower reddish in colour. Stems : 

 erect ; square. 



Some day when the inclination prompts us to bend our steps 

 to a leafy, green spot where perhaps hides a trickling stream 

 we shall be enchanted by the appearance of the bee balm. Its 

 brilliant colouring is rather a surprise, as we are not nearly so 

 familiar with red wild flowers as with those of other shades. 



A troop of children that had gone for a picnic to a spot in 

 their neighbourhood called the glen, found this flower and 

 twirled a wreath of it to place upon the head of a dark-haired 

 little girl. When they returned to the village and the wreath 

 was laid aside, the children complained that their playmate was 

 no longer pretty. They missed the magical effect of the bee 

 balm about her head. 



MAD DOG SKULL CAP. 



Scntellaria lateriflora. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Mint. Blue, or violet. Scentless. Mostly north. Summer-. 



F!aivers : small ; growing in axillary, one-sided leafy racemes on spike-like 



brandies. Calyx : of five pointless sepals covered by a little cap. Corolla : two- 



