ones of the other. The series between Solanacece and Borraginew, both inclusive, forms a
a second group (but not, as in the former case, a circle) marked by their regular flowers -
which again by an easy transition passes into Verbenacece through the medium of the fructifi'
cation, and occasional regular flowers of the latter. “The Verbenacece alone, having frequently
the same inflorescence and many of the characters of Labiatce, approach near enough
to occasion any hesitation in drawing the line of separation.” Both orders have irregular
labiate flowers, and the “ovarium is slightly lobed in Verbena and other neighbouring genera-
and in Cymana and some Teucria, it is less lobed than in other Labiatce, but yet, the distance
is considerable in this respect between the former and latter genera. Amongst the genera
in other respects intermediate, Cloanthes has been instanced by Mr. Brown as having the
habit or Labiatce, and the characters of Verbenacece; and Hoslandia, on the contrary as
being Verbenaceous in habit with Labiate characters: to these instances may be added'the
close resemblance, in all but fruit, between Teucrium, Betonica, &c., and Vitis ovata trifoliate,
&c.; but these examples present no real difficulty and are few compared with the vast
extent of both orders. Benth. Lab. P. xv. To these examples must now be added Holm-
skiouha, at first referred to Labiatce but now placed among the Verbenacece. From this it
appears that, in a linear series such as is here adopted, this is its proper place. The transition
from Verbenacece into Labiates is easy, but there is no other into which Labiatece can
similarly pass, the two following orders having no affinity, and appear as if placed at the end
of this class, simply to facilitate the passage to the next, with the leading orders of which they
have some affinity, J
G e o g r a ph ic a l D i s t r ie u t io n . Labiatae are scattered over nearlv the whole earth
T. „Th,e following brief but comprehensive summary of their distribution I copy from Dr
Lmdleys vegetable Kingdom.
“Natives of temperate regions in greater abundance than elsewhere, their maximum probably
existing between the parallels of 40° and 50° N. latitude. They are found in abundance
m hot dry exposed situations, in meadows, hedgerows and groves; not commonly in marshes
In France they form l-24th of the flora; in Germany, l-2 6 th ; in Lapland, l-40th ■ the
proportion is the same in United States of North America, and within the tropics of the
New World (Humboldt) ; in Sicily they are 1-21 of the flowering plants (Priesl); in the
Balearic Islands, l-19th. About 200 species are mentioned in Wallich’s catalogue of the
Indian Flora, a large proportion of which is from the Northern provinces. They are not
found in Melville Island.” ~ J
In Southern India they are most abundant on the tops of the higher ranges of mountains,
and are very numerous, both as to species and individuals, on the Neilgherries, but many also
occur on the plains. f - - 3
P roperties and U ses. On this branch of the subject it can scarcely be needful to dwell,
their qualities not being of much consequence to mankind though many of the species contribute
something to his stock of luxuries and comforts, if not necessaries. So far as yet ascertained,
the order does not possess a really noxious species, but many very aromatic ones, owing
to the large quantities of essential oil secreted by their glands. These essential oils, many
of which are admitted into Pharmacopeia, are useful as carminatives, for expelling flatus, and
often still more so on account of their agreeable aromatic flavour affording a convenient shield
to cover the disagreeable taste of other more efficient medicines; such are the principle uses
of the Mints, Lavenders, &c. Many are used as condiments in cooking, and some are hitter
and tome and, as such, used as strengthening medicines. But upon the whole they are generally
much more highly esteemed by the domestic practitioner than by the physician. As
articles of perfumery, who does not know the Lavender water and Eau-de-Cologne, both of
which derive part of their scent from the Lavender; also the Rosemary, a strong infusion
of which is employed to allay the heat of skin in Erysipelatous eruptions, and as a cephalic
to relieve headache and excite the mind to vigorous action. “I t is also remarkable for its
undoubted power of encouraging the growth of hair and curing baldness. I t is in fact what
221
causes the green colour of the best pomatums used for that purpose. An infusion of it prevents
the hair from uncurling in damp weather.” It is one of the plants used in manufacturing
Hungary water. Of the Indian species, few indeed have obtained repute as medicinal agents.
Both the species selected for illustrating this order are held in repute by the Natives
as medicinal agents. The one, Coleus, as a powerful aromatic carminitive, in cases of cholic
in children; on which occasions the juice is prescribed mixed with sugar or other suitable
vehicle; the other, Leucas, or Phlomis, as it was formerly called, as a very effective application
in cases of pustular eruptions, for which purpose the leaves and tender tops are beat into a pulp
and applied as an unguent. I t is said to be a most effective remedy in Psora. Another
plant of this order, Anisomalis Malaharicct (Neputa Malabarica, Ainslie), has got the reputation
of being a tonic and febrifuge; for the cure of the latter it is administered in infusion and
the patients are made to inhale the vapour rising from the infusion. The infusion is also
prescribed in dysenteric affections. I have not heard it from Natives that an infusion of
Coleus aromalicus produces an intoxicating effect, but I was told by a European Lady, who
had been recommended to use it as a carminitive, that it certainly produced that effect on
her, and forced her to discontinue its use, though deriving benefit, towards the aleviation of
the ailing, dyspepsia and frequent attacks of flatulent cholic, for which it was prescribed.
R emarks on G enera and Species. In this, as in the preceding large orders, it seems futile
to attempt individualizing either genera or species, and especially in this, which has been so
thoroughly elaborated by so excellent an observer. Such being the case I shall, as above, merely
give the Tribal characters, accompanied by the analysis of at least one genus of each of those
having Indian representatives. The following then are Mr. Bentham’s tribes of this order, under
which are arranged 121 genera in De Candolle’s Prodromus.
Tribe I. OceinoidEiE. Stamens decimate.
T ribe II. SatureiEiE. Stamens distant, straight, divaricate or connivent under the
upper lip, 4 or 2 (then the anthers are 2-celled with the connective not filiform), lobes of the
corolla flat.
Tribe III. Monarde.e. Stamens two, straight or ascending, cells of the anthers ohlong,
linear, either solitary or separated by a filiform connective, (rarely approximated.)
Tribe IV. N efete*. Stamens 4, the postieous (not the anticous as in the other tribes),
longer.
Tribe V. Stachyde« . Stamens 4, ascending parallely under the usually concave helmet
(galea). Nuculse smooth or tuhercnlate, free from the base, erect.
Tribe VI. P rasie* . Stamens like those of Stachydese. Nuculse fleshy, sub-connate at
the base.
Tribe VII. P r o s t a n t h e r e * . Nuculse (usually reticulately rugose) connate at the base.
Style sub-persistent. Throat of the corolla campanulate, lobes plain.
Tribe VIII. Ajo g o id e e . Nucnlae reticulately rugose, subconnate at the base, stamens
ascending parallely, upper lip of the corolla either minute or cleft, lobes declinate.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 175.
7. Detached ovary 4-lobed.
8. Ovary cut transversely.
9. Fructiferous calyx. 10. A seed.
11. The same, testa removed.
12. Seed cut transversely.
13. Cotyledon and plumule.
14. Portion of the under surface of a lea f All more
or less magnified.
1. Coleus aromaticus (Benth.), flowering branch, natural
size.
2. A detached corolla.
3. Corolla split open, stamens monodelphous at the
base.
4. Anthers, back and front views.
5. Calyx and pistil.
6. Apex of the style and stigma.
p p
■ k n w i