LABIATE. 1S3 



jSi. lateriflora. L. Much branched, nearly smooth, 1 -2 feet 

 high, with petioled leaves ; flowers small, blue, in lateral racemes ; 

 wet meadows, and borders of wet woods ; July. 



A few years ago this species had great reputation as a cure for 

 the bite of a mad-dog ; no confidence is placed in it now. The 

 hydrophobia, like other acute and powerful diseases, is, perhaps, 

 not designed to have any specific remedy. 



Several plants of this order are found in the gardens, continual- 

 ly cultivated for some desirable property. 



Origanum. L. 13. 1. 

 0. majorana. L. Sweet Marjoram. Distinguished for its 

 odor ; from Portugal ; its essential oil is acrid and caustic. 

 Loudon. Named from the Greek for mountain joy, from its place 

 and pleasantness. 



Octmum. L. 13. 1. 



0. basilicum. L. Basil. Another sweet-scented plant, from 

 India, named from the Greek to smell, on account of its strong 

 odor, and royal basil, from its use in medicine, in ancient times, 

 basil being only a shortening of the Greek for royal. It has lost 

 its medicinal reputation in a great degree. 



Melissa. L. 13. 1. 



J\I. officinalis. L. The true Balm, from Italy. From the 

 Greek for bee, as that insect delights in this plant for its honey. 

 Odor pleasant, flowers and foliage handsome, formerly used as a 

 tonic, diuretic, and stomachic ; now little used except as a pleas- 

 ant drink in fevers. Scarcely naturalized. 



Satureja. L. 13. 1. 



S. hortensis. L. Summer Savory. A fine culinary aromatic 

 from Italy, found in most gardens. 



Lavandula. L. 13. 1. 

 L. spica. L. Lavender, or Sweet Lavender. From the 

 Latin to u-ash, because Lavender water has long been used for its 

 effects upon the skin ; a native of the South of Europe. It is a 

 stimulant and tonic ; the oil is considerably used. 



