I 



GAMOPETAL^ 129 



persistent, and the segment are lobes or teeth. The 

 calyx is frequently enlarged in fruit. The corolla 

 is hypogynous, five-partite, monopetalous, wheel- 

 shaped, or bell-shaped, salver-shaped, sometimes 

 two-lipped, overlapping, folded or twisted in bud. 

 There are five stamens, which are short, epipetalous, 

 of the same number as the petals and alternating 

 with them, rarely unequal, and in irregular flowers 

 not equal in number to the petals. The anthers are 

 connivent or cohering by the tip. They open 

 inwards. There is an annular disc. The ovary is 

 superior, two to four-celled, the style is simple, the 

 stigma two-lobed or simple. The fruit is a many- 

 seeded capsule or berry. 



The flowers being conspicuous are adapted to 

 insect visits. 



The group is allied to the Convolvulus group 

 and to the Figwort group. Some of the plants 

 are medicinal, being narcotic, tonic, stimulant in 

 principle. 



Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger). 



Amongst British plants the Henbane is unique in 

 the peculiar markings of the corolla, which are only 

 paralleled by exotic genera. Like other members of 

 the group it is a poisonous plant with a peculiarly 

 nauseous odour. 



Henbane is found in all parts of the British Isles, 

 but is doubtfully native in Scotland. It occurs in 



VOL. III. 9 



