OAMOPETAL.*: -I 97 



cirATTER vn 



GA MOrETA L.E— I 



4 



Under tins name are included all those plants the 

 corolla of ^vhosc flowers is made up of 2, i, or 5 fused 

 petals. In some the union of petals is complete, but in 

 others, as for example in the Cyclamen, the petals are 

 joined only at the base. In both cases the plants are 

 mcluded in the Gamopetalse. The flowers of this group 

 readily divide themselves into two classes — those with 

 a awperioT and those with an inferior ovary. 



GAMOPETALOUS PLANTS WITH SUPEPJOR OVARY 



ScrophiilariacesB. — The Foxglove Family, This is an 

 iniportant order from the point of view of the present 

 work. Normally the flowei'S possess 5 petals and 4 

 stamens. The piistil consists of 2 carpels joined to- 

 getlier as shown in fig. 4, and the ovary in section has 

 the appearance given in the same figure. This last point 

 nliuuld be carefully noted, for it is the chief guide in 

 distinguishing the Foxglove family from that of the 



Dead-nettle (Labiat<^). 



Foxglove {Digitalis purpurea). — A detailed descrip- 

 tion of this familiar plant is not necessary. All the 

 garden varieties are derived from the wild plant by 

 careful selection and breeding. 



Poisonous Froperfies.-r-Many cases of poisoning have 

 occurred from tlie leaves being eaten in mistake for the 

 leaves of other plants, e.g. the Borage. Again, cases are 

 on record in wliich poisoning results have followed the 

 drinking, bv ignorant people, of an infusion of "tea" 

 made from the leaves of Foxglove. One case of homicide 

 i'H recorded tlie poison having been administered to a 



