THE BUGLE AKD TALL 

 FESCUE GKASS. 



Ajuga reptans. Nat. Ord., Labiates;. 

 Festuca elatior. Nat. Ord., Graminacece. 



HILE quite as common in its 

 occurrence in most parts of the 

 country as its beautiful contem- 

 porary, the cowslip, the bugle is 

 not by any means so well known. 

 The general effect of the plant is 

 dull and sombre, and its ordinary 

 and formal habit of growth, added 

 to its want of striking colour or 

 form, are features that render it 

 very liable to be overlooked. It 

 is, nevertheless, a plant that will 

 repay a closer examination than often, 

 we imagine, falls to its lot, as the forms 

 of its blossoms and the delicate harmony 

 of colour seen in its upper leaves, flowers, 

 and buds, in various tints of blending purples and greens, 

 are points that are sufficiently attractive when fairly 

 brought before the eye. 



The bugle is the Ajuga reptans of the scientific 



observer. The generic name was first applied by Linnaeus 



to the present plant, from a belief that this or some 



closely-allied species was the one referred to by Pliny 



18 



