200 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 



Wood Betony. One of the most interesting 

 members of the Figwort family is the Wood 

 Betony, Pedicularis, Louse-wort, or Beefsteak 

 Plant, as it is \'ariously known. This is a low- 

 growing plant, generally found in rather dry 

 fields, with its ])lossoms in compact heads which 

 come into flower late in spring or early in summer. 

 The corollas are bent to one side at the outer end 

 and so arranged in spirals that when a bumble- 

 bee alights upon the lowest flow^er it can easily 

 and rapidly visit all the others. The structure 

 of the flower renders cross-pollination by such 

 visitors almost certain. 



'' Farmers once believed that after their sheep 

 fed on the foliage of this group of plants," whites 

 Neltje Blanchan, " a skin disease produced by a 

 certain tiny louse (Pediculus) would attack them 

 — hence our innocent Betony's repellant name of 

 Louse- wort." 



Butter-and-Eggs. From the middle .of July 

 until frost the yellow blossoms of the Butter-and- 

 Eggs are much in evidence by roadsides and in 

 waste places. Although this plant, which is also 

 known as Toadflax, is an importation from abroad, 

 it has become very widely distributed in America. 

 Its yellow^ flowers and light green foliage are a 

 welcome addition to Nature's summer decora- 

 tions, while the nectar that it holds in the spur 

 below the blossom is eagerly sought by bumble- 



