LYCOPUS — WATEIl IIOIIEIIODND. 209 



Preparalioni^. — Of poppormint : A((Ufi inonthm jiiporitm — popporinint 

 water ; oleum mcntlifi) piiMirihu — oil of peppenniut ■ spiritus iiienthto 

 pipcritjc — spirit of ])('pperiuiiit ; trochisci iiiciitliir pipi-ritin— troches of 

 poi)permint. Of Hpearmint : Aipiio luontliie viridis — Hpcarniint ■svator ; 

 oleum menthii) viridis — oil of spearmint ; spiritus luentliie viridis — si)irit 

 of spearmint. — United Slates Pharmacojxeid. Both species are also fre- 

 quently used in infusion. 



Medical Prupcrlies and (Tn^'x. — The aromatic, stimulant, and carminativo 

 properties of pcppcu'mint and spearmint render them useful in a great va- 

 riety of gastric and intestinal disorders characterized by colic pains. Tho 

 only dill'ereuce between them is one of degree, spearmint acting nuich 

 more mildly than peppermint, and its flavor being to some people more 

 agreeable. 



LYCOPUS.— Wat Kit IIouKiiouNn. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx -4- to 5-toothed. Corolla nearly equally 

 4-lobed, about the length of the calyx. Stamens 2, with nidiments of 2 

 more. Achcnia truncate at the apex. 



Perennial herbs resembling mints, but wanting their aroma, and having 

 but 2 perfect stamens. 



Lycopus Virginicus Ijhmv.—Jiugleiceed. 



Description. — Calyx-teeth 4, ovate, obtuse, without a spine, shorter 

 than the achenia. Stem G to 18 inches high, obtusely 4-i)ngled. Leaves 

 broadly-lanceolate, serrate, tapering at both ends, short petioled. Entire 

 plant smooth, often purplish. Flowers very small, in small capitate clus- 

 ters, appearing in midsummer. 



Habitat. — In v et places ; common. 



Lycopus F jropaeus Linne. — Water Ilorehoand. 



JJescripfioi . — Calyx-teeth 5, triangular-lanceolate, rigid and jiointed, 

 longer than the achenia. Stem 1 to 2 feet high, sharply 4-angled. Leaves 

 oblong-lanceolate, cr lance-ovate, aciite, sinuate-toothed or pinnatitid, 

 more or less petiolate. Flowers small and very numerous, in dense axil- 

 lary Avhorla. A very variable species. 



Haljital. — In wet places ; common both here and in Europe. 



Farts Used. — The herb of both species — not olHcial. 



Constituents. — These plants probably possess the ordinary constituents 

 of the labiatiT), though there is evidently much less volatile oil than in 

 many plants of the order, and more bitterness. 



Preparations. — Commonly administered in infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Bugleweed is said to be sodiiiive, tonic, 

 astringent, and narcotic, but upon what authority it is difficult to deter- 

 mine. Water horehouiid is said to be remedial in intermittent fever, but 

 the authority for the statement is doubtful. By virtue of their bitterness, 

 both these plants may probably produce tonic effects ; and through their 



