FIGWORT TRIBE 13 



roots of the grasses, and it has since been proved that some other of the 

 Scrophulai^ineaj are also parasitic. Professor Henslow found that plants of 

 the Rattle when growing at a distance from other plants did not thrive ; that 

 they were dwarfed in growth, flowered but in two specimens ; and that finally 

 they all withered, without producing seetl. A single plant which grew near 

 to some wheat, attained its usual dimensions ; but the Professor failed to 

 observe whether the seeds were perfected. 



The Yellow Rattle is, in some parts of Kent, called Snaffles. It is termed 

 in Ireland Rattle-grass, Penny-grass, and Henpenny-grass. 



2. Hairy Yellow Rattle, Large Bushy Yellow Rattle {li. major). 

 ■ — Leaves linear, lanceolate, upper ones tapering to a point ; flowers in 

 crowded spikes ; calyx smooth, appendage of the upper lip of the corolla 

 egg-shaped or oblong; bracts egg-shaped, pointed; annual. A plant with 

 broader and serrated leaves, hairy calices, and egg-shaped bracts, and which 

 is usually the largest and stoutest form of the genus, is sometimes described 

 as a variety of the Common Yellow Rattle, and is also the li. hirsuhis or 

 E. villosus of other writers. The authors of the " British Flora " remark : 

 " Mr. Bentham observes to us in a letter, that now, since it has been proved 

 that this genus is parasitical, it is probable that all the supposed species 

 ought to be united ; an opinion in which we quite agree." 



The Large Bushy Yellow Rattle is found in corn-fields in the north of 

 England, and is described as having more dense and bushy spikes of flowers 

 than the Common Yellow Rattle, and yellowish bracts, each terminating in a 

 green point. The appendages to the upper lip of the corolla are purple ; the 

 seeds are thick at the edge, with a membranous margin. 



5. Cow-wheat (Melampyrum). 



1. Crested Cow-wheat (M. cristdtum). — Spikes densely imbricated ; 

 bracts heart-shaped, tapering to a point, and cut into slender segments ; 

 leaves linear, lanceolate, acute, entire, with dark veins beneath ; annual. 

 This is a very handsome plant in the month of July, with its dense 4-sided 

 spikes of yellow flowers, which have a dash of purple on the inner lip, and 

 grow each one in the axil of a floral leaf. These bracts are of deep rose- 

 colour at the base, and the stem is about a foot or a foot and a half high. 

 The plant is found in corn-fields, woods, and thickets in the eastern counties 

 of England. 



2. Purple Cow-wheat (71/. a?T^nS(?).— Spikes lax, oblong ; bracts egg- 

 shaped, lanceolate, and gradually narrowing, pinnatifid, Avith awl-shapcd 

 segments ; calyx-teeth as long as the tube of the corolla ; corolla closed ; 

 annual. This species, which is still more handsome and more rare than the 

 last, is found in v/oods, on dry banks and in corn-fields in the Isle of AVight 

 and about Non\ich. The spikes of flowers are much larger than in the 

 crested species, and extremely beautiful from the varied tints which they and 

 their floral leaves display. The bracts are green and purplish rose-coloured, 

 the blossoms yellow, variegated Avith rose-colour and pui'ple. This plant, 

 ■which is abundant on some corn-lands, is a very troublesome weed to the 

 farmer. Mr. Baxter, referring to it, says: "Dr. Bromfield tells me that the 

 value of the wheat on certain farms in the land l^ehind St. Lawrence, in the 



