LVI. SCROPHULARINE.& 311 



decumbent at the base, much branched, about a foot high, or in watei 

 as much as 2 feet. Leaves often opposite, pinnate, with short, ovate, 

 crenate or deeply cut segments; the floral ones alternate, and often 

 twice pinnate. Flowers almost sessile in the axils of the upper leaves, 

 of a deep purple red. Calyx broad, with 2 broad, short, irregularly 

 cut or jagged lobes. Upper lip of the corolla with 2 minute teeth on 

 its inner edge just below the point, and 2 others below its middle. 

 Capsule oblique, the short point projecting beyond the calyx. 



In marshes, wet meadows, and watery ditches, in northern and 

 central Europe, and Russian Asia, from the Altai to the Arctic regions. 

 Generally spread over Britain, but not so common as the following 

 species. Fl. all summer. 



2. P. sylvatica, Linn. (fig. 772). Lousewort. Rootstock perennial, 

 with prostrate or spreading, branching stems, seldom above 6 inches 

 long. Leaves alternate, pinnate, with deeply cut, small segments. 

 Flowers sessile in the upper axils, pink-red or rarely white. Calyx 

 broadly oblong, with 5 unequal teeth or short lobes, the longer ones 

 often toothed. Tube of the corolla much longer than the calyx, the 

 upper lip with 1 minute tooth on each side, under the point. 



In moist pastures, and meadows, all over western, central, and 

 northern Europe, but disappearing in the south and the east. Common 

 In Britain. Fl. spring and summer. 



XIV. MELAMPYRUM. COWWHEAT. 



Erect or spreading herbs, probably semi-parasitical like Rhinanthus, 

 with opposite leaves and branches ; the floral leaves often passing into 

 coloured bracts ; the flowers yellow, purple or variegated, either axillary 

 or in terminal leafy spikes. Calyx tubular or campanulate, with 4 

 teeth. Corolla with a distinct tube ; the upper lip compressed, entire 

 or with a small tooth or lobe on each side in front ; the lower lip spread- 

 ing, with 3 short lobes, and a more or less projecting palate closing the 

 mouth of the tube or nearly so. Capsule ovate, oblique, with from 1 to 

 4 oblong seeds. 



A small but distinct genus, confined to Europe and northern Asia. 



Flowers variegated with purple, in short leafy spikes. 

 Spikes closely Imbricated, 4-sided. Floral leaves broadly cor- 

 date and finely toothed 1. SI. eristatum. 



Spikes oblong, rather loose. Floral leaves ovate, acuminate, 



with long slender teeth ... .... 2. IT. arvense. 



Flowers yellow, in distant axillary pairs, all turned one way. 

 Upper floral leaves toothed at the base. Flowers pale yellow, 



6 lines long or more 3. il. pratonse. 



Floral leaves all entire. Flowers deep yellow, 3 or 4 lines long 4. M. sylvaticum. 



1. M. eristatum, Linn. (fig. 773). Crested C. Stem simple or with 

 a few broadly-spreading opposite branches 8 inches to a foot high. 

 Leaves lanceolate or linear and entire, or the upper ones toothed at 

 the base. Flowers in a densely imbricated 4-sided spike, 1 to 1 inches 

 long ; the floral leaves or bracts under each flower short and broad, 

 finely but shortly toothed, and of a clear pink or purplish colour at the 

 base. Corolla yellow, more or less variegated with purple, about 6 

 lines long. 



In woods and thickets, over nearly the whole of Europe and Russian 



