SCROPHULARINE^. 159 



JM. ringens. L. A beautiful plant with blue flowers, com- 

 mon about wet places ; flowers in August. The resemblance of 

 the ringent flower to the mouth of a grinning monkey originates 

 the specific name. 



M. alatus. L. Closely related to the last, and ordinary ob- 

 servers would not notice any striking difference. 



Gratiola. L. 2. 1. Hedge Hyssop. 



From the Latin for grace or favor, on account of its supposed 

 high medicinal virtues. The two species in this State, G. Vir- 

 ginica, L., and G. aurea, Muhl., have yellow flowers, on an erect 

 stem, about a foot high ; grow about ponds, and inundated sandy 

 banks ; flower in August ; of no known use. 



Chelone. L. 13. 2. 



From the Greek, for tortoise, to which the helmet of this genus 

 has been fancifully compared. Loudon. A North American 

 genus of a few species. 



C. glabra. L. Snake Head. From the resemblance of the 

 large whitish and inflated corolla to the mouth and head of a 

 snake. Stem square, 2 or more feet high, with opposite, sleek, 

 lanceolate, toothed leaves ; rudiment of a fifth stamen often in the 

 flower ; low grounds and wet situations ; August. 



Digitalis. L. 13. 2. 



D. purpurea. L. Foxglove. A native of hedges in Britain, 

 attractive for the great beauty of the flowers arranged in a long 

 spike, and both white and purple ; now common in gardens 

 for its beauty ; named from the resemblance of the flowers to a 

 thimble, from the Latin for that article. As a medicine it is 

 sedative and diuretic, diminishes the frequency of the pulse, and, 

 in any considerable quantity, is a violent poison. 



Dracocephalum. L. 13. 2. Dragon's Head. 



Both names have the same meaning, and are founded on the 

 same supposed resemblance. Several species belong to this 



