448 THE VERVAIN FAMILY. 



much branched near its summit. Its purplish-blue flowers although very 

 small are often thrust out so prolifically that they form thick masses of 

 colour, while again but here and there a few scraggly ones appear in the 

 spikes. As we see it sometimes in abundance over waste tracts of ground 

 we lose faith in the old superstition that it will thrive near a man's dwelling 

 only. It has long, however, been a favourite with " yarb " and witch-doctors 

 many of whom still claim that it is able to avert disaster. Witches used it in 

 mixing love-philtres and also as a protection to themselves during their 

 incantations. On the contrary also it was of repute " to hinder witches 

 from their will.'" 



THE MINT FAMILY. 



Labiates. 



Trees aiid shrubs, hut mostly herbs, 7vith puugent odours^ simple, 

 opposite leaves, four-sided stems; and which bear perfect, irregular 

 flowers with labiate corollas growing usually in cymes although also 

 occurring in other forms of itijlorescences. 



Ever through the summer the mints are before us in our rambles. They 

 crop up almost everywhere ; for many of them are common things, often not 

 over attractive. En passant, therefore, but not stopping to scan them 

 closely, they being too well known, we quickly recall : 



Glecbma hederacea, ground ivy, or gill-over-the-ground, which in the spring, 

 through open lots and pastures shows constantly its small blue flowers. It 

 is a European, and now most abundantly naturalised in this country. To 

 it are closely related : 



Nepeta Cataria, the common catnip or catmint, also a European weed 

 and long famed for its ability to cure cats of their various indispositions. 



Marriibium vulgare, still another of the mints which are abundantly 

 seen in waste places. It is a native of Europe and Asia. 



Primclla vulgaris, self-heal, or heal-all, blooms constantly from May 

 until October along the waysides, but seldom crowns its thick, leafy spike 

 with more than a few pinkish, purple flowers at the same time. It also is a 

 native of Europe and Asia and in several countries is of repute among the 

 working classes as being able to cure wounds. Its pretty English name is 

 heart-of-the-earth. 



Ldmiuin purpiireum, sweet archangel, rabbit-meat, or red dead nettle 



