62 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



plantl is the well-known "foxglove" (Digitalis purpurea). It 

 has always been more or less of a question whether the name 

 is derived from the fox or from the fairies (folks). The bulk 

 of the evidence seems to be in favor of the fairies as witness 

 such names as "folk's-glove", "fairy's-glove", fairy-bells", 

 "fairy-cap" and "fairy-thimbles". Variations on the thimble 

 idea are "witches thimbles", "lady's thimbles", or simply 

 "thimbles". It may be observed that the flowers are more like 

 thimbles than gloves as the generic name suggests. Common 

 names that recall those given the snapdragon are "rabbit- 

 flower", "lion's mouth", and "throatwort". The name of 

 "pop-dock" probably refers to the mild explosions made by the 

 corollas when suddenly compressed. 



Certain other plants closely related to the species just 

 mentioned are sometimes placed in the genus Gerardia and 

 sometimes in Dasystonia. The yellow flowers are sufficiently 

 like foxglove blossoms in shape to be given the same common 

 name though it is customary to prefix this with "false" to in- 

 dicate the difference. Gerardia flava is the "yellow foxglove" 

 or "downy false foxglove" and Gerardia Virginiea is the 

 "smooth false foxglove" or "golden oak". The last mentioned 

 name refers both to the flowers and the oaklike leaves. 

 Gerardia pedicularis has accumulated a larger number of com- 

 mon names. It is called "yellow gerardia", "bushy gerardia", 

 "lousewort" and "fever-weed". With reference to the divided 

 leaves it is called "fern-leaved false foxglove" and "lousewort 

 false foxglove". The "lousewort" part of the name comes 

 from the fact that the leaves are very much like the leaves of 

 the true "lousewort" {Pedicularis) in appearance. In recent 

 years this genus has received still another change of names and 

 by some botanists is now known as Agalinis. When the change 

 was made the common names of the plants were promptly 



