GAMOPETAL.E 187 



on sand, there being a sandy, ferruginous layer on 

 the top of the chalk as a general rule. On the chalk 

 it is found on chalk pasture. 



In habit the Ground Pine is prostrate, then 

 ascending. The plant is much branched, hairy, 

 with long, scattered hairs, the stem being of a 

 reddish-purple tinge, low, and spreading. The leaves 

 are crowded, the radical leaves soon withering, 

 stalked, ovate to lance-shaped, entire or toothed. 

 The stem-leaves are divided into threes, with narrow 

 linear, entire segments, which (the laterals) may 

 branch again, and are spreading, some flat, clammy. 



The flowers are yellow, with dark spots, solitary, 

 in the axils, with leaf-hke bracts longer than the 

 flowers, in numerous whorls, containing two flowers 

 each. The calyx bears stiff hairs, and has narrowly 

 triangular teeth. The nutlets are large, oblong, 

 with deep pits. 



Three to six inches is the height of this plant, 

 which flowers between May and August, and is a 

 herbaceous perennial. 



Honey is secreted at the base of the ovary. A 

 ring of hairs protects it above. Though the corolla 

 has a rather short upper lip the stigma and anthers 

 are protected by the bract which subtends the flower 

 above. The stigmas mature in advance of the 

 anthers, and spread apart. The anthers are first 

 touched by an insect visitor, as the stigma is pro- 

 tected from contact in a young flower by the stout 

 stamens. Cross-pollination is ensured. The inferior 



