LABIATE.. 201 



the f^round is covered. When in flower it is cut. aii<l after lying for a part of a 

 dav, is j)laced into the stills. After the oil is (extracted, t lie mint is cured and 

 fed to cattle. 



Use. — Spearmint is used to flavor sauces for meats, and to jirepare a very 

 popular beverage known as mint Julep ; also in the manufacture of essences 

 and cordials; its medical (jualities are carminative and anthelmintic. 



Teppermiut is largely used in the manufacture of the essential oil of jx-j)- 

 permint, on which the medicinal character of the plant depends. Its medicinal 

 qualities are anti-spasmodic, and it is used in domestic practice for pains 

 in tlie stomach and lower intestines. In China and Hindustan it is largely 

 used to relieve the flatulency incident to a vegetable diet. The taste is aro- 

 matic, warm, i)ungent, somewhat like camphor, and iiighly stimulant, 'i'he 

 greater part of the oil, however, is used by the manufacturers of confectionery 

 and cordials. 



3. M. pulegium, L. (Pennyroyal.) Stem 6 to 10 inches long, bluntly 

 4-angled. much branched, usually trailing, slightly hairy. Leaves on short 

 petioles, small, bluntly serrate, hairy underneath. Flower-stalks covered with 

 short, thick hairs; flowers numerous, in sessile whorls ; calyx greenish-imrple, 

 furrowed and hairy, witli 5 unequal, ciliated, pointed teeth ; corolla twice the 

 length of the calyx, purple, 4-cleft, white at the ba.se, clothed with long, soft 

 hairs ; stamens erect, longer than the corolla. Annual. Flowering from 

 June to September. 



Geography. — Found growing throughout Europe, Asia Minor, Persia, and 

 northern Africa ; was brouglit to northeastern America and introduced into 

 cultivation ; but the character and properties are so nearly allied to those of 

 the American plant {Hedeomn pn/ef/ioides, Pers.) that it has disappeared, and 

 the American plant is used in its place. 



Ktymohfiji and Hiatorip — Piuerjinm is from the two Latin words, pule.r. a 

 flea, and rerjo, have power over, due to its reputation for destroying this lively 

 insect. Pevni/mi/al is a curious corruption of the specific name. Tn England 

 it is called puddlnc] fjrass, because of its use for flavoring blood puddings ; also 

 flea mint, for the reason already stated. 



The pennyroyal was known in the first century, and is mentioned l\v l)oth 

 Dioscorides and Pliny. 



Use. — The medicinal properties of pennyroyal are carminative, anti- 

 spasmodic, tonic, and stimulant. It is a well-known remedy in throat 

 di.seases. It is used as a gargle and as a liniment ; also as an insecticide, 

 or insectifuge, as the odor is said to banish various insects. The medical 

 qualities reside in an essential oil obtained by distilling the entire plant. 



I'ennyroyal is admini.stered by quacks for a blood-purifier, under the name 

 of Orf/ana. 



ORIGANUM. L. Calyx ovate, bell-shaped, obscurely P^nerved, 

 5-tooth(Ml, tliroat liairy ; corolla 2-lippod, upper lip erect and notched, 

 lower loncjer, and composed of 8 .spreading lobes ; stamens 4, ascend- 

 ing and spreading, mostly longer than the tube of corolla. Perennials ; 

 leaves nearly entire : flowers in crowded short or cylindrical heads; 

 bracts usually colored ; flowers pur]>lish. 



Species, 25 in number ; mostly European. 



