112 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



into hairy scales. The capsule is erect and included 

 in the calyx. The seeds are numerous, laterally 

 flattened on the ventral side, angular, dark brown, 

 elliptical, rough. 



The Jacob's Ladder is 1-2 ft. in height. It flowers 

 in June and July, and is a herbaceous perennial. 



The anthers are mature before the stigmas. Honey 

 is secreted at the base of the ovary and is concealed 

 by the woolly hairs in the tube. The swollen anther- 

 stalks also protect it. The anthers are ripe before the 

 flower opens. The stigma is longer, and in this stage 

 self-pollination does not occur. But as later, and 

 in wet weather, the flowers droop, the pollen may fall 

 on the stigma and the flower is then self -pollinated. 



The seeds are jerked out of the capsule by the wind. 



Bluejacket, Charity, Gilliflower, Greek Valerian, 

 Jacob's Ladder, Joseph's Walking-Stick, Ladder to 

 Heaven, Poverty, are the names by which it is 

 known. 



PoLEMONiUM CCERULEUM. — Fig. 27 shows the pin- 

 nate stem-leaves, which are alternate, and the pendulous 

 flowers in a loose corymb, with the oblique stamens, 



51. The Hound's Tongue Group. 



In the Order Boraginaceae are included a number 

 of beautiful plants. They are related to the Vervain 

 Group, White Dead Nettle Group and Convolvulus 

 Group. There are twelve hundred or more species and 

 eighty-five genera. Members of this group are found 



