THE MULLEIN. 



Verbascum Thapsus. Nat. Ord., Scrophu- 

 lariaccce. 



ANDEKERS by the hedgerows in 

 the early spring may frequently 

 find a large tuft of leaves that bear 

 a very considerable resemblance to 

 those of the foxglove, and are only 

 distinguishable from these by a 

 slightly more woolly texture. We 

 have more than once known the 

 plant on the strength of this re- 

 semblance carefully dug up and carried 

 off in triumph to the garden borders, 

 to be summarily ejected at a later 

 period. It is, however, rather hard 

 on the mullein to treat it in this way 

 because it is not something else, and 

 we venture to say that if only the would- 

 be possessor of a foxglove would allow the 

 plant to develop its true and proper indi- 

 viduality he would have little cause to be 

 dissatisfied. Its long line of yellow flowers would make 

 a sufficiently striking ornament to the border or shrub- 

 bery to be in great measure at least an equivalent for 

 the stately foxglove ; we have in fact seen it freely intro- 



