
126 PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 
adensis is the only species of the mint family that is a native 
of the Eastern United States. It has in common with its nu- 
merous relatives little glands in the leaves in which is hidden a 
volatile oil and wherein lies the strong flavour and fragrance 
of the plants. It is one of their most attractive features and a 
ready means of identification. 
The name Mentha is of mythological origin. According to 
the story, a too attractive nymph, Mintha, the daughter of 
Cocytus, was transformed by Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, into 
these plants that now bear her name. 
OSWEGO-TEA, BEE BALM. (P/ate ZX//) 
Mondrda didyma. , 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Mint. Brilliant cardinal. Pleasantly fragrant. Throughout the north. Suntnaer. 
Flowers: clustered in a rounded head. Calyx: five-toothed ; reddish ; 
naked in the throat. Coro//a: tubular ; two-lipped. Stamens: two; ex- 
serted. ystil: one; style, two-lobed, protruding. Leaves: opposite; 
ovate; on petioles ; those nearest the flower reddish in colour. Stems: 
erect 5 Square, 
Some day when the inclination prompts us to bend our steps 
to a leafy, green spot where perhaps hides a trickling stream 
we shall be enchanted by the appearance of the bee balm. Its 
brilliant colouring is rather a surprise, as we are not nearly so 
familiar with red wild flowers as with those of other shades. 
A troop of children that had gone for a picnic to a spot in 
their neighbourhood called the glen, found this flower and 
twirled a wreath of it to place upon the head of a dark-haired 
little girl, .When they returned to the village and the wreath 
was laid aside, the children complained that their playmate was 
no longer pretty. They missed the magical effect of the bee 
balm about her head. 
MAD DOG SKULL CAP. 
Scutellartia latertfléra. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Mint. Blue, or violet. Scentless. Mostly north. Sumter. 
Flowers : small; growing in axillary, one-sided leafy racemes on spike-like 
branches. Calyx : of five pointless sepals covered by a little cap. Corolla : two- 

