iig FLOWERS OF LAKES, RIVERS, ETC. 



was a reputed cure; and the second Latin name refers to its semi- 

 aquatic habitat. Figwort was applied because it was supposed to be 

 a cure for the disease ficus by the Doctrine of Signatures. 



Brook or Water Betony, Bishop-leaves, Broomwort, Brownwort, 

 Bullwort, Stinking Christopher, Cressel, Cressil, Crowdy-Kit, Fiddles, 

 Fiddlevvood, Figwort, Huntsman's Cap, Poor Man's Salve, Stinking 

 Roger, are the common names for this handsome semi-aquatic plant. 



Because the stalks are coloured it was called Brownwort. It is 

 called Fiddlewood because the stems are stripped by children of their 

 leaves and scraped across each other fiddle -fashion to produce a 

 squeaking sound. 



The plant is purgative in action. It was from the tuberous roots 

 of S. nodosa that the notion arose that this plant (like the other) was 

 a cure for scrofula. At the siege of Rochelle (1628) the French were 

 reduced to eating the roots. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



231. Scrophularia aquatica, L. Stem tall, erect, quadrangular, 

 4-winged, leaves cordate, oblong, crenate, serrate, bracts linear, blunt, 

 flowers, 1-15, purple, in a corymbose cyme, with reniform staminodes, 

 calyx with 5 rounded lobes. 



Musk (Mimulus Langsdorffii, Donn.) 



This is an American plant of comparatively recent introduction into 

 Europe (1812), and a member of the N. Temperate flora. Like Elodea 

 canadcnsis, also introduced from America, it is now found in all parts 

 of the country. In Skye it ascends to 1000 ft. It is found also in 

 Ireland. 



Musk grows by the waterside in most damp places, by the margins 

 of streams, in reservoirs, and other natural or artificial pieces of water. 

 Associated with it are Purple Loosestrife, Three-lobed Butterbur, 

 Scorpion Grass, Gipsy Wort, Blue Skull-cap, Yellow Flae Flowerina 

 Rush, & c . 



The habit is compact, the stems rather trailing or creeping, and the 

 whole plant is more or less bushy. The lower leaves are stalked, the 

 upper clasping, heart-shaped, egg-shaped, smooth, shiny, veined, with 

 six or more nerves. The stalks of the upper leaves are occasionally 

 lobed. 



The first Latin name has reference to some supposed resemblance 

 between the seeds and the expression of a monkey when grinning. 

 Ihe flower is bright-yellow with carmine spots, borne on slender 



