38 ORD. XVII. Bicornes. PYROLA UMBELLATA. 
where it is a very common plant, it is known under several appellations, 
viz. ground holly, winter-green, pippissewa ; and by the native Indians, Herbe 
de Paigne. Yn Canada, it is known by the name of Z’Herbe a Pisse. The 
genus Pyrola comprises about fifteen species, of which five are indigenous 
to Britain.* The Pyrola umbellata was introduced into this country about 
fifty years ago; but it is only within the last few years that it has excited 
the attention of the profession as a remedial agent. We are told by Mr. Don 
that in “ the temperate zones the various species of Pyrola are chiefly met 
with in mountainous situations; some of them, such as uniflora and secunda,t+ 
extending to considerable elevations. In the frigid zones, on the contrary, 
they are only to be found in the lowest and narrowest plains, adjacent to 
the sea, and are never met with in those regions, beyond the limits of trees. 
Most of the species extend across the continents of Asia, Europe, and 
America. There are specimens of secunda and uniflora in the Banksian 
Herbarium, from the islands on the north-west coast of America. The 
Pyrola picta of Smith is found on the north-west coast of America, and in 
mountainous situations in Japan. Some species, however, are of more 
limited diffusion: thus, Pyrola asarifolia, maculata, and elliptica, have only 
been detected in North America. The Pyrola dentata, Menziesii, and occi- 
dentalis are still more confined, being only found in particular districts.’’t 
The root of the Pyrola umbellata is perennial, creeping, and long, sending 
up at various distances several woody, somewhat angular, erect, or slightly 
procumbent stems, which rise about a span in height: the leaves are pro- 
duced in irregular whorls, of which there are mostly two or three on each 
stem; they are wedge-shaped, lanceolate, serrated, smooth, supported upon 
short petioles, and are of a deep shining green. The inflorescence consists 
of a small corymb, generally of five Lace ed on aS sithpls, sorte shai 
the calya is inferior, and consists of much 
shorter than the corolla; the petals are five, sonndish: concave, spreading, ofa 
cream colour, with a tinge of crimson at the base: the ten filaments are aw]- 
shaped, curved, and supporting large two-celled anthers, of a purple colour ; 
each cell opening by a short, round, tubular orifice, at the summit: the 
style is cylindrical, half the length of the germen, and concealed by the 
* See Smith’s English Flora. + Both these are natives of Britain—Smith. 
+ Vide Monograph of the Genus Pyrola, in the Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural 
History Society; tiy Ds Dan; Lib! Lin: Soc: 
