YELLOW 



as a funeral torch, and the Greeks utilized the leaves for lamp- 

 wicks. In more modern times they have served as a remedy for 

 the pulmonary complaints of men and beasts alike, '' mullein 

 tea" being greatly esteemed by country people. Its especial 

 efficacy with cattle has earned the plant its name of " bullocks' 

 lungwort." 



A low rosette of woolly leaves is all that can be seen of the 

 mullein during its first year, the yellow blossoms on their long 

 spikes opening sluggishly about the middle of the second summer. 

 It abounds throughout our dry, rolling meadows, and its tall 

 spires are a familiar feature in the summer landscape. 



MOTH MULLEIN. 



Verbasctim Blattaria. Figwort Family. 



[PI. LXXIV 



Stem, — Tall and slender. Leaves. — Oblong; toothed; the lower some- 

 times lyre-shaped, the upper partly clasping. Flowers. — Yellow or white ; 

 tinged with red or purple ; in a terminal raceme. Calyx. — Deeply five- 

 parted. Corolla. — Butterfly shape; of five rounded, somewhat unequal 

 lobes. Stamens. — Five, with filaments bearded with violet wool and anthers 

 loaded with orange-colored pollen. Pistil. — One. 



Along the highway from July till October one encounters a 

 slender weed on whose erect stem it would seem as though a 

 number of canary-yellow or purplish-white moths had alighted 

 for a moment's rest. These are the fragile, pretty flowers of the 

 moth mullein, and they are worthy of a closer examination. 

 The reddened or purplish centre of the corolla suggests the 

 probability of hidden nectar, while the pretty tufts of violet 

 wool borne by the stamens are well fitted to protect it from 

 the rain. A little experience of the canny ways of these 

 innocent-looking flowers leads one to ask the wherefore of every 

 new feature. 



170 



