698 DIBYNAMIA. GYMNOSPERMIA. Mentha 
MEN'THA.* * JB/oss. nearly equal, four-cleft : Filaments spread¬ 
ing wide. 
(The numerous species of Mints are arranged according to the reformed 
plan of Smith, condensed from the c Menthae Britannicae’ of Mr. Sole, 
whose accurate and finely executed figures have greatly facilitated 
the elucidation of this intricate genus, and not less so the valuable obser¬ 
vations of the President of the Linnaean Society. (Linn. Tr. vol. v.) Whence 
it appears that for specific distinction we must chiefly rely on the situa¬ 
tion and direction of the hairs or bristles, especially those of the calyx and 
flower-stalk. E.)t 
(1) Flowers in spikes . 
(M. SYLVES f TRis. Spikes hairy, scarcely interrupted: leaves with 
toothed serratures, downy chiefly beneath: floral-leaves awl- 
shaped : calyx hairy all over. 
respecting which Kay, (doubtless in ignorance), presumed to exclaim, (< Mirum tot 
viribus pollere plantain nulla insigni qualitate sensibili dotatam ! ” and which father 
Gerard himself, in honest simplicity, still more unceremoniously denounces, despite 
the authority of Dioscorides, Pliny, and a host of veracious commentators; “ Many odde 
olde wives fables are written of Vervaine tending to witchcraft and sorcerie, which you may 
reade elsewhere, for I am not willing to trouble your eares W'itb reporting such trifles as 
lionest eares abhorre to heare. Most of the later Phisicians do give the juice or decoction 
heerof to them that have the plague ; but these men are deceived, not onely in that they 
looke for some truth from the father of falshood and leasings, but also bicause insteede of a 
good and sure remedie they minister no remedie at all; for it is reported, that the divelldid 
reveale it as a secret and divine medicine.” p. 5 82. Nevertheless, as a charm to conciliate 
friendship, we would not willingly relinquish even this simple talisman. 
“ There are fairer flowers that bloom on the lea. 
And give out their fragrant scent to the gale; 
But the Vervain, with charmed leaf, shall be 
The plant of our choosing, though scentless and pale. 
For, wrapp’d in the veil of thy lowly flower. 
They say that a powerful influence dwells. 
And that, duly cull’d in the star-bright hour, 
Thou bindest the heart by thy powerful spells. 
We will plant thee beneath our sheltering tree. 
In our bower we will bid thy blossoms unfold ; 
So faithful and firm may our friendships be, 
So never may glowing hearts grow cold.” Wild Garland. E.) 
* (From the Greek the nymph Minthe, daughter of Cocytus, and a favourite of 
Pluto, w-hom Proserpine, instigated by an evil passion, metamorphosed into this plant: 
though Ovid would appear somewhat incredulous of the fact. 
“ Could Pluto’s queen with jealous fury storm, 
And Menthe to a fragrant herb transform ?” E.) 
*{* (The general utility of Mints is well known, and universally admitted, though we. 
are not to expect the wonderful results described by some ancient writers. For culinary 
purposes Spear-Mint is preferred, as in sauce, salads, &c. but for medicine, Peppermint 
and Pennyroyal are more efficacious. A conserve of the leaves is very grateful, and the distilled 
waters, both simple and spirituous, are agreeable. The virtues of Mint are those of a 
warm stomachic and carminative. In hysteria, nausea, and cholicky pains, as a cordial, 
few simples prove more beneficial. In such cases the best preparation is a strong infusion 
of the dried herb in water, (which is much superior to the green,) or a tincture or extract 
with the rectified spirit. Pennyroyal has not undeservedly been held in esteem as a deob¬ 
struent. These herbs should be cut in a very dry season, and just wheft they are in flower ; 
if cut in the wet they will change black, and be little worth. E.) 
