Foxglove and Toadflax 251 
semi-aquatic, and its freedom from hairs reminds us 
of the similar differences between the species of 
Forget-me-nots. Like the Speedwell, it opens with 
the stigma mature, though the anthers are not. The 
stamens do not diverge widely, and there is consider- 
able chance of the stigma coming in contact with one 
or the other, with or without insect aid. 
The Spiked Speedwell (V. spicata) differs from 
most other species of the genus in the more tubular 
character of its corolla, which has a_ bearded 
throat and narrow lobes. On some plants the flowers 
all develop their stigmas before the anthers, in 
others the style remains dwarfed until the pollen has 
all been shed; either case favouring cross-fertilisa- 
tion. This species appears to be chiefly visited by 
bees; those that we have not mentioned, though 
visited by insects, are most frequently fertilised by 
their own pollen. 
An advance on the open flowers of Mullein and 
Speedwell is found in those of the Figwort (Scrophu- 
larva nodosa), which are somewhat globular, but open 
in front. The whole plant gives out a fcetid odour, 
which may often be perceived long before the plant 
is reached, and which appears to be very attractive 
to wasps, who visit the livid, red-brown flowers in 
considerable numbers. The flower-parts are here in 
the original condition of fives. The calyx is five- 
parted, and the corolla has five lobes of unequal 
length; the two longest form an upper lip, and these 
with a shorter one on either side stand erect, but the 
shortest of all forms a lower lip which is turned 
downwards. There are also five stamens, but the 
fifth is reduced to a mere black scale on the upper 
