SWISS FLOWERS. 101 



common is P. verticillata (Fig. 79), the flowers of which 

 form a rather dense circular head more than an inch across, 

 of a purplish-rose colour. The plant is about six inches high, 

 with an angular stem. The leaves are unequal in length, 

 but form a kind of whorls round the stem, instead of being 

 alternate as in most of the other species. The leaf-like 

 bracts are mingled with the flowers. Not uncommon in 

 Alpine pastures. 



Among those without beaks P. recutita is remarkable for 

 its handsome size, its very dark rusty-purple colour, an 

 arched gaping upper Jip, bluntly toothed, and a prominent 

 style ; flowers in a compact head, with bracteal leaves at the 

 base. Not unfrequent in moist places o£ the Alps : Glacier 

 of the Rhone ; meadows of Pontresina, &c. 



P. versicolor is much smaller, cream-coloured, distin- 

 guished by a reddish-purple spot on each side of the upper 

 lip ; plant from two to five inches high. 



We come now to the beaked Pediculares. P. rostrata 

 (Fig. 80) is plentiful on the high mountains, but one must 

 ascend very high before it is seen ; it rises three or four 

 inches above the ground on somewhat straggling stems, 

 which terminate in a loose head of a few flowers ; the lower 

 lip of these is of a pretty rose, while the long beak of the 

 upper is of a chocolate-purple. The leaves are pinnatifid, 

 and again divided. The beak at once makes the plant 

 known. Riffel ; Ronche ; Great St. Bernard. 



