622 CLXXV. LABIATE. 



Teibe III. MoNAEDEj;. — Stamens 2, straight or ascending. Anther-cells linear-oblong, 

 solitary or separated by a long connective. Meriandra, *8alvia, *Uosmarinus, *Monarda, *Zizy- 

 pJiora, &c. 



Tbibb IY. Nepete^. — Stamens 4, the posticons (upper) pair always the longest. Loph- 

 anihus, Nepeta, *Dracocephalum, *Gedronella, &c. 



Teibe V. Stachtdej:. — Stamens 4, parallel and ascending under the upper lip. Nucules 

 quite free, erect. *Prunella, * Scutellaria, MeUttis, *8ideritis, Marruhium, Anisomeles, *Betonica, 

 *Stachys, Leonurus, ^Lamium, Ballota, Leucas, *Phlomis, &c. 



Teibe VI. PbasiBjE. — Stamens of Btaoliydem. Nucules fleshy, sub-connate at the base. 

 Gomphostemma, Phyllostegium, Stenagyne, Prasium. 



Teibe VII. PEOSTANTHEEiE. — Nucules usually rugose, connate at the base, style persistent. 

 CoroUa-throat oampanulate, lobes flat. (Australia.) *Prostanthera, Hemiandra, Microooris, 

 Westringia, &o. 



Teibe VIII. Ajugoidb^. — Nucules rugose, sub-connate at the base. Stamens parallel, 

 ascending. Upper lip of corolla minute or 2-fid with declinate lobes. ^Teucrium, Ajuga, Tri- 

 chostemma, &o. — Ed.] 



Labiate form one of the most natural groups of plants ; the characters of its members are so uniform 

 that it may be called monoiypic, as if all the species could be comprehended in a single genus, and the 

 discrimination of its genera is hence often very difficult. For the same reason the affinities of Labiaice 

 are but few. We have noticed their connection with Scrophularineee, BoiTaginece, and Acanthaceee. They 

 approach nearest to Verbenacece, which differ only in the coherence of the parts of the ovary, the terminal 

 style, the berried or drupaceous fruit, the leaves not constantly opposite, and the absence of oleiferous . 

 vesicular glands. It is in the temperate regions of the Old World that the majority of Lahiatce are found ; 

 they are not numerous beyond 50° north latitude or in the tropics, and are less frequent in the southern 

 hemisphere ; from the arctic regions they are completely absent. 



A volatile oil is contained in the vesicular glands of Labiates which in some species holds in solution 

 a solid hydrocarbon {stearoptene) analogous to camphor ; to the different proportions in which these sub- 

 stances are united to bitter and astringent principles the various properties of its members are due. 

 The purely aromatic species are condiments, stimulants, [carminatives], or cosmetics ; especially Pepper- 

 mint \_{Mentha piperita), Q-^esxToimt (M. viridis),a.ni Pennyroyal (M. Pulegium)'],Th.jjae (Thynms vidgaris), 

 Savory {Satureia hoHensis and montana'), Balm (Melissa officinalis), Basil Thyme (Cala7mniha Acinos), Lemon 

 Thyme {Thymus dtriodorus) , [Sweet Basil (Ocymum Sasilicum), Bengal Sage (Meriandra bengalensds), 

 Sage (Salvia grandi/lora and officinalis), Marjoram (Origanum Majorana, Onites, Sec), Hyssop (Hyssopvs 

 officinalis)']. The powerful stimulating properties of Rosemary, utilized medicinally in Hungary water, 

 are due to its volatile oil and stearoptene [it is also an ingredient in Eau de Cologne, and in the green 

 pomades, having the power of encouraging the growth of hair]. When the aromatic principle is com- 

 bined with the bitter one, they are stimulating and tonic (Marjoram, Lavender, &c.). The very 

 strong-scented essence of io!)a»(7MZff Spica (Oil of Lavender) is used as an embrocation in rheumatic affec- 

 tions, [and as Oil of Spike by painters]. The common Lavender (L. vera), cultivated in gardens, is used 

 to preserve linen, wooUen, and furs from insects ; as is Patchouly, an Indian species of Pogostemon. 



Teticrium, which contains gallic acid and a bitter principle, is a tonic. Scutellaria galericulata was 

 formerly employed in tertian fevers. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is bitter and slightly acrid; it is 

 used as a bechic and antiscorbutic. Marrubiicm, in which the bitter overcomes the aroma, is recom- 

 mended as a tonic. Finally, Sage (Salvia officinalis) combines all the medicinal properties of the other 

 Labiates, whence its stimulating, tonic, and astringent virtues, and its trivial name. [Others are 

 Horehound (Marnibium vulgaris), a popular and excellent remedy in coughs; and Lycopus europeeus, which 

 yields a black dye.] 



