156 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



campanulate in form, but its under surface is considerably 

 dilated. The interior of the flower is very curiously 

 spotted. The calyx is composed of five unequal pieces ; 

 four of these are broad, the fifth and upper one much 

 narrower than the others. As the blossoms of the main 

 stem gradually fall away, smaller lateral stems are often 

 thrown out from the axils of its leaves, and these may 

 be seen fully in flower when the central stem shows 

 little else but the relics of bygone beauty. These lateral 

 stems are also promptly thrown up if by any mischance 

 the central and principal stem sustains any serious injury. 



The foxglove has long been held in esteem for its 

 medicinal properties. The leaf is the part employed, those 

 of the second year of the plant's life being selected and 

 gathered during the period the blossoms are out. It 

 figures as the main ingredient in several preparations in 

 the modern pharmacopeia. 



