LEONTICE, LION'S LEAF; a genus of the monogynia order, to the hexandria class of plants. There are four species, natives of the southern parts of Europe, two of which are sometimes cultivated in this country. These are, 1. The chrysopteris with winged leaves; and, 2. The leontopetalum with decompound leaves. Both those plants are natives of the Archipelago
Leontini
Leonurus
pelsgo islands, and also grow in the corn-fields about Aleppo in Syria, where they flower soon after Christmas. They have large tuberous roots like those of the cyclamen, covered with a dark-brown bark. The flowers sit upon naked footstalks: those of the first sort sustain many yellow flowers, but the flowers of the second are of a paler colour. Both species are propagated by seeds, which must be sown soon after they are ripe, otherwise they seldom succeed. When sent to distant countries, they must be preserved in sand. The plants are, however, very difficult to be preserved in this country: for they will not thrive in pots; and when they are planted in the full ground, the frost frequently destroys them. The best way is to sow the seed as soon as it comes from abroad, covering it with glasses in the winter to protect it from frost; and, in the spring, when the plants begin to appear, they must have free air admitted to them at all times when the weather is mild, otherwise they will be weak.