RUBIACEiE. 229 



SPECIES II.-ASPERU LA CYNANCHICA. Linn. 



Plate DOLXI. 



Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MCLXXXI. Fig. 1. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 1492 (6is). 



Perennial. Rootstock woody, not creeping. Stems generally 

 tufted, ascending or decumbent, sufTusely branched, glabrous, gene- 

 rally puberulent towards the base, without a hairy ring under 

 the nodes. Leaves 4 in a whorl, those in each whorl very unequal 

 in size — in the upper whorls so much so that the leaves appear 

 opposite, linear or strapshaped-linear, mucronate, glabrous, not 

 ciliated. Flowers in small corymbose cymes, disposed in a lax 

 sub-corymbose or slender panicle. Bracts lanceolate. Corolla 

 salvershaped-funnelshaped ; limb about as long as the tube. Fruit 

 glabrous, rugose. 



On chalky banks and on limestone soil, common; rare on 

 other soils. Extending from Devon and Kent to Westmoreland 

 and York. 



England, Ireland. Perennial. Summer and Autumn. 



Stems varying much in length, from 2 or 3 inches to 1 foot or 

 more. Largest leaves ^^ to 1 inch long, usually stiffly recurved, 

 very firm, with a thick central nerve. Bracts small. Flowers 

 1^ to J inch across, white, generally lilac-fleshcolour on the outside 

 which is rough with small papillae. Fruit small, papillose, wdth 

 the papillae sometimes confluent, so as to make the surface appear 

 wrinkled. Plant dull-green. 



Squinancy-wort. 



French, Asperule des Sables. German, Hiigel Meier. 



This plant is also known as the Quinsey-wort, from its supposed efficacy in that 

 disorder. The French word esquinancie supplies the name in its present form. It is 

 now fallen into disuse in medicine. Its roots yield a red dye, and are occasionally 

 employed in Sweden. 



SPECIES III.— ASPERULA TAURINA. Linn. 



Plate DCLXII. 



Beich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MCLXXVIII. Fig. 1. 

 Billot, FL Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2G83. 



Bootstock extensively creeping. Stems solitary, erect, simple 

 or slightly branched, glabrous or slightly pubescent, with a hairy 

 ring under each node. Leaves 4 in a whorl, all those in each 

 whorl nearly but not quite of equal size, ovate or ovate-lanceolate. 



