116 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



plant of great use, and that none but those to whom the 

 prefixed name fully applied would eat this poisonous herb 

 in mistake for the garden plant which it slightly resembles. 

 The toad-flax is often known in country districts as the 

 butter and eggs, the pale yellow suggesting the first part 

 of the name, the deep orange standing for the yolk of an 

 egg. It is also often called wild snapdragon. 



The only other species of the genus that can fairly 

 claim to be classed amongst our common plants is the 

 ivy-leaved toad-flax (Linaria cymbalaria) . Though not 

 truly a native of Britain, it has in many places so 

 thoroughly established itself as to claim abundant recog- 

 nition. The plant is small, and grows in the fissures of 

 old damp walls. The leaves are somewhat fleshy, deep 

 green above and often dull purple beneath. Flowers small, 

 purple and yellow in colour. The whole plant is very 

 graceful in appearance, as its long trailing stems, clothed 

 with delicate leaves, hang in masses from some rugged and 

 moss-grown wall. 



