THE ROELLA AND LOBELIA FAMILY. 173 



In (II.) and (III.) the anthers are in an early stage, 

 and closed at the top by continuations of the connectives. 

 (IV.) represents the early stage of the stigmas, whicli 

 are adpressed together, and the fringe of hair below 

 them, which sweeps out the pollen. 



In (II.) the style and closed stigmas are seen within 

 the anther-tube. 



When the stigmas have escaped, they separate as 

 in Composites, like a pair of ram's horns. 



(V.) is a diagram. The spot represents the stem to 

 show the posterior and anterior sides. The corolla is 

 split on the posterior side. The pistil is composed of 

 two carpels, with a large axile placenta bearing many 

 ovules (VI.). 



There are some twenty-five species in South Africa. 

 L. Erin'its, with blue flowers and slender stems, as well 

 as L. lit'tea, with yellow flowers, are common about the 

 peninsula. The former is much " improved " by 

 cultivation, and is grown as a *' bedding-out " plant in 

 England; both were introduced there about 1775. 

 A tall one, growing about three feet, bright with 

 scarlet flowers (X. cardina'Hs), was introduced from 

 Virginia in 1629. L. infla'ta, called " Indian tobacco," 

 is used in medicine, but is a violent poison ; indeed, 

 all the Lobelias are probably more or less injurious. 



