MENTHA. ORIGANUM. 



161 



Supp. t. 2785. — N. Side of Wooler water, near Coldgate mill ; and 

 also about one mile and a half above Langleyford, on the border of a 

 rivulet flowing down from the Cheviot, and near its junction with the 

 Wooler water, James Mitchell*. 



427. M. RUBRA. B. In the Tweed near Horndene burn. — N. In 

 the little burn below the Eoutin Linn, intermixed with M. hirsuta. A 

 plant determined for me by Mr. Babington to be the M. gentilis of 

 Smith, but certainly not distinct from our M. rubra, is found on the 

 sides of the Whiteadder from its mouth, at intervals, to its very 

 source. I find the same on the Tweed, and on Bovraiont water near 

 Yetholm. It grows intermixed with M. hirsuta. A plant that more 

 accurately represents M. gentilis I have gathered on Wooler haugh 

 near the Carding mill. Aug. 



428. M. ARVENsis. Corn-fields and new pastures, on a light soil, 

 common. Autumn. 



429. M. PXJLEGIUM. 33«nnS'3£^0S3l- Very rare. B. "At the 

 foot of the hedge-bank, after passing Billy-mire, on the way to Au- 

 chincrow. This is a doubtful native, but, so far as I know, no human 

 habitation was ever near this spot." G. Henderson. 



430. Thymus serpyllum. OTilK Cljjjmc. Dry banks and 

 heaths. It loves an old ant-hill. When it flowers. Flora begins to 

 wear her most variously-coloured dress : — 



" Now the summer is in prime, 

 Wi' the flowers richly bloomin'. 

 An' the wild mountain Thyme 



A' the moorlands perfumhi'."— R. Tannahill. 



July, Aug. — An infusion of the herb is used, rarely, as a sort of tea. 

 The flower is a favourite with bees. 



431. Origanum vuLGARE. WtilU dlHaiioram. Deans, copses, 

 and the sides of burns, frequent.—" Wild Marjoram grew upon the 

 rocks in great perfection and beauty. Our guide gave me a bunch, 

 and said he should come hither to collect a store for tea for the 

 winter, and that it was 'varra halesome'— he drank none else." 

 Wordsworth. Memoirs, 'Tour in Scotland,' i. p. 222. Aug. 



* James Mitchell, Surgeon E.N., was the eldest son of the Rev. Mr. 

 Mitchell, pastor of the Scotch Church in Wooler. Educated to the medical 

 profession, he entered the navy, which he was ultimately compelled to leave 

 from shattered health. He retired to his father's residence, and became 

 an active member of our Club. His presence gave zest to, and heightened 

 the pleasure of, many of our meetings ; and his absence there now is 

 mourned. Mr. Mitchell saw much varied service, and I find it recorded 

 that he was actively employed during the American War; and after the dis- 

 aster which befell our small squadron on Lake Champlain, Sept. 1 Ith, 1814, 

 his conduct received honourable mention in the despatches. " Great credit 

 is due to Mr. Mitchell, surgeon, for the skill he evinced in performing 

 some amputations required at the moment, as well as his great attention 

 to the wounded during the action, at the close of which the water was 

 nearly a foot above the lower deck, from the number of shot which struck 

 her between wind and water."— Dodsley's Register for 1814, p. 218. 



VOL. I. 



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