BiGNOMALES,] 



SCROPHULARIACE^. 



683 



gularity of the corolla sometimes assumes a very peculiar appearance, owing to its 

 tendency to form pouches or spui-s. This is pamicularly striking in the genera Linaria 

 and Antin-hinum, in which the corolla takes a direction upwards, so as to form a 

 convexity on the under side of the limb, the result of which is that form of corolla 

 called ringent ; and also a du'ection downwards, which produces a long spm\ In 

 the genus Calceolaria it causes the anterior face to assume quite the appearance of a 

 slipper. On the other hand, in the genus Veronica, both irregularity and want of 

 symmetry almost wholly disappear. 



Fig. CCt'CLXL 



In this Order many species have a stigma composed of two highly irritable plates, 

 one placed next the back and the other next the front of the flower. When the corolla 

 first expands, these plates stand apart and are even turned back a little ; but when 

 touched they collapse suddenly and with some force. This phenomenon has been 

 described by Mr. Henderson in the Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. 6. p. 51. 



A curious genus, called Schwenkia, with clavate glands gi'owing from the edge of 

 its corolla, usually referred to this Order, was formerly rejected at my instance, the 

 stamens having appeared to me to be opposite the lobes of the corolla. It is 

 more than twenty years since I had an opportunity of examming it, and Mr. Bentham 

 now assures me that the real petals are the aforesaid glands with which the stamens 

 alternate, and that it is a genuine member of the Order of Figworts. 



These plants are found in abvmdance in all parts of the world, from the coldest regions 

 in which the vegetation of flowering plants takes place, to the hottest places within the 

 tropics. One species is found in Melville Island ; in the middle of Europe they form 

 about a ■26th of the flowering plants, and in North America about a 36th. In all India, 

 New Holland, and South America they are common ; and, finally, the sterile shores of 

 Tierra del Fuego are ornamented with several genera. 



The species are generally acrid, bitterish, and suspected. The leaves and roots of 

 Scrophularia aquatica, and perhaps nodosa, some species of Calceolaria, and many others, 

 act as purgatives, or even as emetics. In Digitalis purpurea, ochroleuca, Irevigata, fer- 

 ruginea and other species, this quahty is so much increased, that its effects become 

 highly dangerous ; the powdered leaves, or an extract of them, produce vomituig, dejec- 

 tion, and vertigo, increase the secretion of the saliva and urine, lower the pulse, and even 

 cause death. The Mulleins approach DigitaUs in this respect ; the seeds of Verbascum 

 Thaspus and nigrum are used by poachers to poison fish, and the flowers of V. Lych- 

 nitis are sometimes used to destroy mice ; the foUage of these plants is acrid and bitter- 

 ish. The leaves of Mimulus guttatus are eatable as salad. The juice of the leaves of 

 Torenia asiatica are considered, on the Malabar coast, a cure for gonorrhoea. An infu- 

 sion of Scoparia dulcis is used by the Indians of Spanish America to cure agues, and in 

 Brazil against hsemorrhoidal affections. Euphrasia officinalis is slightly bitter and 

 aromatic, and has been employed with success by Kranichfeld in catarrhal inflamma- 

 tions of the eye ; he has also found it beneficial in cough, hoarseness, earache and head- 

 ache, which have supervened in catarrhal affections. — Med. Gaz. xx. o'2H. Cows are 

 said to be fond of Melampyrum pratense ; and Linnoeus says the best and yellowest 

 butter is made where it abounds. The Pedicularids are acrid, but are eaten by goats. 

 Nearly all that tribe turn black in drj-ing. Hei-pestes amara, an Indian hei-l), is intensely 

 bitter ; but its properties have not been investigated. Picrorhiza derives it^ name from 

 the bitterness of its roots ; it is used on that account in the native medicine of India. 

 Vandelha diff"usa is said to be of great value m Guayana as an autibilious emetic 



Fig. CCCCLXI.— 1. slipper- shaped corolla of Calceolaria; 2. ringent coroUa of Antirrhinum; 3. rin- 

 gent and spurred corolla of Linaria. 



