366 Labiati—Nepela. 
7. NEPETA. 
A large genus of perennial herhs, for the greater part rather 
unattractive. Flowers axillary or terminal. Calyx tubular, 
15-ribbed, 5-toothed, equal or unequal. Corolla-tube narrow, 
dilated and naked at the throat ; upper lip straight, bifid; lower 
lip trifid ; central lobe largest. Stamens 4, ascending under the 
upper lip, anther-cells diverging. Nutletssmooth. The species 
are estimated at upwards of 100, from the temperate and warm 
regions of the northern hemisphere. We have two indigenous 
species: V. Cutdria, Catmint, and NV. Glechoma, syn. Glechima 
hederacea, Ground Ivy. Probably the former is not truly 
native, as it seems to be found only in the vicinity of ancient 
buildings and gardens. The Ground Ivy is a common plant in 
England, and one of our earliest Spring flowers. The name is 
of Latin origin and was applied by the ancients to some plant 
of this order. It is supposed to be derived from Nepete, a city 
in Tuscany. 
1. NV. Mussint.—This appears to be the correct name of the 
species in general cultivation under various names. It is the 
species employed for bedding purposes, Different varieties 
bear the names macrdntha, longifléra, ete. It grows from 
1 to 3 feet high, with oblong-cordate obtuse hoary toothed 
leaves, and flowers of some shade of blue according to the 
variety, in leafy spikes of whorls, lastirg for a considerable 
time. It is found in various parts of Asia Minor and Siberia. 
8. DRACOCBPHALUM. 
Annual or perennial herbs with opposite leaves and spiked 
or capitate bracteate whorls of flowers. Calyx tubular, straight, 
5-toothed, the upper tooth usually largest. Corolla-tube 
inflated at the throat; limbs bilabiate, upper lip concave, 
lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens 4. There are about thirty species, 
in temperate and warm regions of the north. The name is a 
compound of Spacer, a dragon, and xepadz}, a head, literally 
dragon’s head, from the shape of the corolla. 
1. D. peregrinum.—aA handsome decumbent perennial spe- 
cies. Leaves lanceolate, remotely toothed and mucronate, 
tomentose beneath. Flowers violet-bluc, spotted on the lips, 
solitary and axillary, appearing in Autumn. A native of 
Siberia. 
2. D. Argunénse, syn. D. Altwicum.—-This is a more erect 
