272 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



polypetalous, as in the Heatli alliance. Also in the polypeta- 

 lous section some are more or less monopetalous (or what is 

 termed gamopetalous), the petals being united by their 

 edges as in Gourds. The ovary is also subject to slight va- 

 riation, being partially superior or inferior, as in the Saxifrage 

 and Water Lily FamiHes ; in some the corolla is absent, but 

 rarely so. 



Section 1. — Corolla monopetalous, inferior (hypogynous). 



■j* Corolla generally oblique and bilabiate with didynamous 

 perigynous stamens (Fig. 3, a) and 1 pistil. 



This includes all plants characteristic of the fourteenth 

 Class of Linnaeus. 



THE MINT, VEEBENA, AND FOXGLOVE 

 ALLIANCE. 



The Mint Family. 



(Labiate). 



Small shrubs, fruticuls, or herbs, generally with square 

 stems, and opposite, simple, entire, rarely divided leaves ; 

 the whole generally aromatic. Flowers solitary, in spikes or 

 heads. Corolla generally curved downwards, 2-lipped. Sta- 

 mens didynamous (sometimes two abortive). Fruit consist- 

 ing of 1 or 4 small 1 -seeded nuts, contained within a persis- 

 tent calyx. 



This truly natural family consists of 2500 species. They 

 are widely distributed, the greater part being found in the 

 temperate regions of the northern hemisphere ; they are also 

 found, but sparingly, in the south. They contain a highly aro- 

 matic and pungent property, which has caused many of them to ^ 

 be held in high repute from time immemorial as possessing 

 medicinal virtues, but few of them are now recognised in mo- 

 dern practice. 



Lavender (Lavandula vera). A smaU shrubby plant, na- 

 tive of the South of Europe, bordering on the Mediterranean. 

 It attains the height of 2 or 3 feet, having narrow leaves ; it 



