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Melissa officinalis, L. 
The Balm-herb. South Europe and Middle Asia. A peren- 
nial herb, valuable for its scent, which depends on a peculiar 
volatile oil. It is also valuable as a bee-plant. 
Melocanna bambusoides, Trinius. {Beesha Bheedei, Kunth.) 
The berry-bearing Bamboo, from Chittagong and other 
mountainous parts of India. It is a thornless Bamboo, 
growing on dry slopes of hills. Height up to 70 feet ; cir- 
cumference towards base 1 foot ; growth beautifully erect. 
Melocanna hnmilis, Eoeper. 
India. More slender than the preceding species, and 
attaining only a height of 20 feet. 
Melocanna Travancorica. {Beesha Travancorica, Beddome.) 
A new Bamboo from Travancore, worthy of introduction. 
Mentha piperita, L.* 
The Peppermint. Middle Europe. This well-known peren- 
nial herb is important for its peculiar essential oil, which 
here by culture is produced in good quality. This distilled 
oil is in considerable demand, and would be best obtained 
from plants cultivated in the mountain regions or natural- 
ized along the forest rivulets. Eminent authorities refer 
the Peppermint as avarietyto Mentha aquatica, L., the Water- 
mint of Europe, North Africa, West and North Asia, from 
which the true Crisp Mint {M. crispa, L.) is again derived, 
as well as the Bergamot-mint {M. citrata, Ehrh.) 
Mentha Pulegium, L. 
The true Penny-royal. Europe, Western Asia, North 
Africa. A perennial scent herb, yielding a peculiar ethereal 
oil. It likes moist soil. 
Mentha rotundifolia, L. 
Middle and South Europe, North Africa, Western Asia. 
Pond of wet places, which by the culture of this and other 
mints may he profitably utilized. In odor this mint 
approaches to Melissa. The Erench and Italian Crisp Mint 
is partly derived from this species. Closely allied to the 
lollowiiig, and often regarded as a variety of M. viridis, L. 
