BRITISH PHANEROGAMIC PARASITIC PLANTS, 170 
plants. They all have green leaves and plenty of root, and seem 
quite able to procure their own food from the air and soil in the usual] 
manner. They all grow among grass, sometimes among corn or 
sedges ; probably grass is the most frequent host, but it is difficult to 
find out exactly what is the host in many cases as the attachment is 
so slight. The whole of this group go more or less black on drying. 
EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS (Eyebright) is a very variable plant ; it 
is now split up into a number of sub-species and varieties. It is 
found growing in meadows and pastures, on hill sides (ascending to 
3,600 feet), sandy wastes and spongy bogs. It is very variable in 
height and form. The Jeaves and bracts vary much in size and shape 
in the different varieties. The English name is derived from its use 
in the olden days as an eye wash, also probably from the sparkling 
appearance of the flower. It used to have a great reputation, but its 
use probably originated in the days of signature medicine; the white 
of the flowers resembling the white of a clear healthy eye. The 
whole plant is slightly astringent and has a bitter flavour; its 
medicinal properties are insignificant. The haustoria by which it 
attaches itself to other plants appear on the secondary roots soon 
after the germination of the seed, but later on may occur on the main 
root ; they are a special growth on the side of the root ; they are not 
to be found unless a suitable host is near; but the plant does not 
thrive as well without them; it will send up stem with leaves but does 
not seem to produce flowers. 
Bartsia OpontiTes (Red Bartsia) is a common plant in corn 
fields and among grass. I think wherever it is found the land is 
not of the best quality. It has a wiry stem, 4 to 18 inches in height, 
with sessile linear lanceolate leaves, which are very variable. The 
flowers are pink pubescent and are arranged in a spike with numerous 
leafy bracts. This plant has much the same form of attachment as 
the last named. Thereare two other species of the Genus, B. viscosa 
and B, AuPrina, 
PEDICULARIS PALUSTRIS and P. syLvatTica (Louse Worts) are 
