78 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



the calyx-tube, arranged in a slender panicle or in small specimens 

 in a raceme. Calyx-tube obconical ; segments 4, very unequal, 

 the inner ones strapshaped-triangular, the outer or lateral pair 

 ovate-acuminate, longer than the tube. Corolla-tube longer than 

 the calyx, fringed with hairs at the throat ; limb of 4 oblong- 

 lanceolate acute segments, about one-third to one-fourth the length 

 of the tube, not ciliated. Capsule sub-sessile. 



In damp pastures. E-ather common, and generally distributed. 

 Plentiful in Scotland, extending to Orkney and Shetland. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Late Summer 

 and Autumn. 



Stems 2 inches to 1 foot high, with the leaves and branching 

 similar to that of G. Amarella. Flowers about 1 inch long and 

 f inch across, pale lilac-purple, with the same copious fringe of 

 hairs in the throat which adorns that of G. Amarella. The most 

 striking difference is in the very unequal calyx-segments, two of 

 them being very broad, while the other two are extremely narrow ; 

 the parts of the flower being in 4 instead of 5 is another obvious 

 point of distinction, though occasionally a single flower of G. Ama- 

 rella has the segments of the corolla limb only 4. The herbage of 

 this plant is not usually tinged with the dull purple which is so 

 common in that of G. Amarella. A variety with white flowers is not 

 uncommon in the Highlands. 



Field Gentian. 



French, Gentiane des Champs. German, Feld Genziane. 



This plant is sometimes used in Sweden and other northern countx'ies as a 

 substitute for hops. 



Tribe II.— MENYANTHIDEiE. 



Leaves, or at least all except the uppermost ones, alternate, 

 trifoliate, or roundish and cordate. ^Estivation valvate and indu- 

 plicate. Testa woody ; albumen usually not wholly filling the 

 cavity of the testa. 



GENUS r.— MENYANTHES. Linn. 



Calyx 5-partite. Corolla funnelshaped-bellshaped, fleshy, de- 

 ciduous ; tube short ; limb 5-partite, with the segments bearded 

 all over the inner surface, destitute of glands. Stamens 5, 

 inserted in the tube of the corolla ; filaments not dilated at the 

 base ; anthers not twisted spirally after the pollen is shed. Style 

 distinct, persistent ; stigma bilobed. Capsule globose, 1-celled, 



