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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



The leaves are also used as an ingredient in tobacco, and an 

 essential oil is obtained from them and used as a toilet perfume. 

 The Arabs in their pilgrimages take a great quantity of 

 leaves with them, which are used in stuffing mattresses, 

 pillows, and the like, and are supposed to keep off contagion. 



Oswego Tea {J^Ionarda didyma). A perennial, attaining 

 the height of 1 or 2 feet, having whorled heads of fine 

 scarlet flowers. It is a native of North America ; the leaves 

 have been used as a substitute for tea. 



The Verbena Family. 

 (Verbenace^.) 



Large trees, shrubs, or herbs, generally with square 

 stems. Leaves opposite, simple, or variously compound. 

 Flowers small, inconspicuous, or of showy colours, produced 

 in spikes, panicles, umbels, corymbs, or heads. Fruit a berry, 

 or nut-like, 2 or 4 united. 



A considerable family of plants, consisting of about 700 

 species, all widely distributed ; the herbaceous species are 

 generally found in temperate regions and in the tropics; 

 in New Zealand it is represented by large timber trees. The 

 properties of many of the smaller growing species are of the 

 same nature as the mint family, and in their respective 

 countries are held in much esteem for their medicinal virtues. 



Vervain (^Verbena officinalis). A weedy plant, native of 

 this country, growing a.bundantly by roadsides and in waste 

 places ; in the time of the Druids it was held in high repute, 

 and was worn as a charm against evil, and for good luck ; 

 but the advance of knowledge makes the history of Vervain, 

 like many other things, only curious as legends. Verbenas 

 have become favourite plants for ornamental flower-beds ; a 

 great number of varieties having come into notice of late 

 years, which first originated from the scarlet-flowered 

 species V. melindres, a native of South Brazil. The Lemon- 

 scented Verbena, first known as F. triphylla, but now as 



