182 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



M. piperita. Sm. Peppermint. This plant has become 

 naturalized in many places along streams and moist grounds, having 

 been cultivated extensively for the manufacture of oil of Pepper- 

 mint. A few years since, it was a profitable product of the farm 

 in several towns in Berkshire County. The essential oil is anti- 

 spasmodic, and given for pains and colic from spasms ; used as 

 a stomachic also, a carminative, sometimes for relief of dyspeptic 

 symptoms. The essence of Peppermint should be given with 

 much caution. 



Pycnanthemum. Mx. 13. 1. 



From the Greek for dense and flower, as the blossoms are in a 

 dense head ; a North American genus of near a dozen species, 

 of which 5 belong to this State. They are widely scattered, but 

 are not very abundant ; grow in fields and along hedges and woods. 



P. verticillatum, Pers., and P. incanum, Mx. Mountain 

 Mint. Are rather handsome plants, and have been sometimes 

 cultivated in English gardens. Both are pubescent and whitish. 



P. lanceolatum, Ph., and P. linifolium, Ph. Virginia Thyme. 

 Are 1—2 feet high, branched, with nearly level-topped corymbs 

 of white and small flowers ; much alike, but may be distinguished. 



P. aristatum. Mx. Has hoary lanceolate-ovate leaves, with 

 sessile heads of flowers. This was considered a Nepeta by 

 Linnaeus, and the preceding two have been placed in the genus 

 Brachystemum. 



Scutellaria. L. 13. 1. 



From the Latin word for a small vessel, on account of the shape 



of the calyx, like a cup with a handle, and when inverted, like a 



helmet. Loudon. A genus of near 30 species, of which about 



a dozen are in the United States ; 2 are common in New England. 



S. galericulata. L. Scull-Cap. Branched, 1 - 2 feet high ; 

 leaves cordate-lanceolate, nearly sessile ; large blue flowers, soli- 

 tary or in pairs ; calyx hairy ; marshy places ; August. 



