142 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



equal, with purple hairs on the stalks. The capsule 

 is many-seeded, opening septicidally, by two valves. 

 The seeds are brown, ridged, and pitted, and very 

 light. 



The plant is 2-3 ft. high. The period of flowering 

 extends from June to October. The plant is a her- 

 baceous biennial like the rest of the species. 



Very little honey is secreted by the flower. The 

 flowers, however, are conspicuous, and the purple 

 hairs on the anther-stalks assist in this. The upper 

 stamen is shorter than the two lower. The anthers 

 open externally. The pistil is bent downwards so 

 that insects touch the stigma before the stamens, 

 though it is not so long as the lower pair. Self- 

 pollination, which may occur in the absence of insect 

 visitors, does not appear to be effective. 



The seeds are dispersed by the wind, being blown 

 out of the capsule. 



The name Verbascum from Barbascum, Latin, 

 barba, a beard, refers to the downy character of some 

 species. Black Mullein is the only name. 



Verbascum nigrum. — In Fig, 38 note that the leaves 

 ave stalked, in other species being usually sessile. Note 

 also the long raceme with clustered flowers, which are 

 long-stalked. 



Creeping Toadflax {Linaria repens). 



All the Toadflaxes are beautiful wild flowers, and the 

 one under notice is not less so than the rest, with its 



