MON(EC. TETRAND. 2/1 



8. LITTORELLA. 



1. L, lacustris {Plantain Shoreiveed) . Ughlf.p.^ll. E. B. 

 t.4QS. 



Hab. Common in most of the Scotch lochs, near the margins. Fl. 

 July, Aug. 



Plant growing in thick tufts. Leaves entirely radical, linear, fleshy, 

 semicvlindrical,about 2 inches long. iS'capes several. SterUeJlowers 

 upon scapes of 2 — 3 inches long. Calyx of 4 equal segments. 

 Cor. with the tube inflated, limb 4 -cleft. Filaments thrice the length 

 of the CO?-. Anthers yeWow. Fertile Jioicers sessile, 2, sometimes 

 3, together, among the bases of the leaves, without any cal. Coc. 

 3-partite, closely embracing the germen, which is terminated by a 

 long, filiform stijle. 



9. ALNUS. 



1. A. glutinosa [common u4lder), leaves roundish cuneiform ob- 

 tuse lobed at the margin and serrated somewhat glutinous 

 downy in the axils of the leaves beneath. --Lightf. p.57Q, and 

 E.B'.t. 1508 {Belula Jlnus). 

 Hab. Wet and boggy grounds, frequent. Fl. May. T2 • 

 A well known tree, whose wood is much employed for various pur- 

 poses, and is particularly valuable for the piles of bridges, &c., as 

 its property is to remain undecayed under water for a considerable 

 length of time. The bark and leaves are employed in dyeing and 

 tanning leather, and the former for staining fishermen's nets ; its 

 astringent quality adapting it to this use. Sterile catkins long, 

 large, and cylindrical, pendent^ their footstalks branched. Fertile 

 catkiyis small, ovate, with deep red scales. Lightfoot mentions a 

 var. which has hoary leaves, more acvte and less viscid. 



10. URTICA. 



1. U. 7irens {small Nettle), leaves opposite elliptical with about 

 5 ribs, clusters of flowers nearly simple. Lightf, p. 578. 

 E.5. M236. 



Hab, Waste places, dunghills, &c. F/. July — Sept. ©. 

 Stems about 1 foot high. — This is by far the most annoying of the 2 

 Scotch nettles. 



2. U. dioka {great Nettle), leaves ovate acuminate cordate at 

 the base, clusters of flowers much branched in pairs mostly 

 dioecious. Lightf. p.oJS. E. B. t. 1750. 



Hab. Waste places and hedge banks, abundant. Fl. July, Aug, 7/ . 



The roots, boiled with alum, dye yarn of a yellow colour. Of the fibres 

 of the stalk a kind of hemp has been manufactured. The young 

 tops of nettles are frequently boiled and eaten by the common peo- 

 ple ; and in Arran, and others of the Western islands, a rennet is 

 made of a strong decoction of nettles. According to Lightf., a quart 

 of salt is put to 3 pints of the decoction, which is then bottled and 

 fit for use. A common spoonful of this liquor will coagulate a large 

 bowl of milk very readily. 



