S4S MELAMPYRUM. [CLASS XIV. ORDER ll. 



long- liuear laDceolale entire point, the base cut into numerous awl- 

 shaped spreading segments, in a pinnalilid manner, the upper ones a 

 delicate purplish pink, the lower yellowish green at the hase, each 

 bearing a sessile ^ott'er in its axis; the calyx tubular, more or less 

 rough, with short bristles, the limb with long linear awl-shaped 

 purple segments from an ovate base. Corolla with a long narrow 

 cylindrical tube, as long as the calyx segments, a bright yellow, the 

 lips closed, of a purplish rose colour, and as well as the tube clothed 

 with short close pubescence, the upper lip concave, notched, the lower 

 as long as the upper, of three shallow lobes. Capsule ovate, enveloped 

 in the swollen persistent calyx, two celled, mostly single seeded. Seed 

 oblong, smooth, black. 



Habitat. — Corn fields and dry gravelly banks, principally in Nor- 

 folk and about Norwich ; Isle of Wight. — Dr. Bromjield. 



Annual ; flowering in July. 



This is a larger and handsomer flowering plant than the last, its 

 larger variegated spikes of bright colours render it very conspicuous. 

 It is easy of cultivation in a dry sandy soil, and far surpasses in beauty 

 many other flowers that are highly prized, and much sought after by 

 our fair cultivators of these beauties of creation. 



3. M, praten'se^ Linn. (Fig. 980.) Common Yelloiv Cow-Wheat. 

 Spike of a few lax flowers, one sided ; bracteas lanceolate, toothed or 

 pinuatifid at the base ; corolla four times as long as the smooth calyx ; 

 the lower lip straight. 



English Botany, t. 113. — English Flora, vol. iii. p. 125.--Hooker, 

 British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 237.— Lindley, Synopsis, p. 195. 



/S. montanum. Smaller, somewhat succulent ; bracteas quite 

 entire. 



Hooker, British Flora, ed. 4. vol i. p. 237. — M. montanum^ Johnst. 

 Flora of Berwick. 



Root of branched fibres. Stem erect, about a foot high, slender, 

 angular, smooth, branches numerous, spreading. Leaves opposite, 

 distant, narrow, lanceolate, with a tapering point, bright green, paler 

 beneath, with a stout mid-rib and lateral veins, smooth, or somewhat 

 hairy, especially on the edges. Inflorescence a lax terminal one sided 

 spike of few flowers. Bracteas lanceolate, the lower ones entire, the 

 upper toothed or pinnatifid at the base, paler than the leaves, often 

 tinged with pink. Calyx small, with four lanceolate teeth, about as long 

 as its tube. Corolla yellow, the tube gradually dilated upwards, four 

 times as long as the calyx, the lips deeper yellow, the upper one concave, 

 obtuse, cleft, the margins recurved, densely hairy, the lower lip straight, 

 protruding with a purple spot on each side near the base, the palate 

 swollen, of a deep orange colour. Stamens with the filaments inserted 

 about the middle of the lube. Anthers united. Capsule ovate, with a 

 curved point. Seeds one or two in each cell. 



