ON THE CHALK 



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three. The fruit is a capsule containing many seeds and splitting 

 longitudinally. 



The White Mullein ( F. Lychnitis) is not at all common, but may 

 be found in similar situations. Its stem is angular, seldom more 

 than three feet high, the leaves nearly smooth above, and the 

 flowers white or cream, blooming from June to August. 



A third species — the Yellow Hoary Mullein ( F. pulverulentum) — 

 grows on banks, chiefly in Norfolk and Suffolk, flowering during 

 July and August. It is 

 about three feet in height ; 

 the stem is round, with a 

 mealy surface ; and the 

 leaves, which are not con- 

 tinued down the stem, are 

 covered both above and 

 below with starlike hairs 

 that give them a mealy 

 appearance. The flowers 

 form a pyramidal panicle, 

 and are of a bright yellow 

 colour, with scarlet stamens 

 covered with white hairs. 



There is yet another 

 species to be found on 

 chalky soils, more especially 

 in hedges and on banks 

 and roadsides. It is the 

 Dark Mullein (F. nigrum), 

 so called on account of 

 the darker hue of the stem 

 and leaves. It grows to a 

 height of about three feet and flowers from June to September. 

 It is a beautiful plant, not so strong in build as the Great Mullein, 

 with an angular stem, and oblong heart-shaped leaves, nearly 

 smooth above, and covered with starhke hairs which give it a 

 downy appearance, especially on the under surface. The leaves are 

 not continued down the stem, and the lower ones have long stalks. 

 The flowers are bright yellow, very numerous, and form a spike - 

 Uke panicle. The stamens are covered with purple hairs. 



The Spiked Speedwell {Veronica spicata), of the same order, 

 neither common nor widely distributed, is to be found chiefly in 



The red Hejip-nettle. 



