306 FIELT) AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



the chalk and limestone districts of the South and West of England, 

 flowering during Jul}' and August. It has a long, dense, terminal 

 spike of blue or pink flowers about a quarter of an incli in diameter. 

 Tlie corolla has a long tube, and unequal, narrow lobes ; and the 

 flattened capsules spht into two valves when ripe. A large variety 

 of this species, known as the Tall Spiked Speedwell, occurs in lime- 

 stone districts of the West. The normal form is shown in Fig. 4, 

 of Plate VIII. 



Of the Labiates perhaps the one most partial to the chalk is 

 the Wild Sage or Clary {Salrin Verbenaca) ; and even this is not con- 

 fined to calcareous soils, but thrives in dry pastures in many parts 

 of the country, particularly near the sea. It is an aromatic herb, 

 from one to two feet in height, with long spikes of bluish purple 

 flowers that bloom from May to September. The leaves, which 

 are not numerous, are oblong-cordate (the upper ones broadly 

 cordate), blunt, coarsely toothed, and wrinkled. Other Labiates 

 are very similar to this species, but the Clary may be distinguished 

 by its two ovate, cordate bracts at the base of eacli flower, and by 

 its narrow corolla, which is a little shorter than the calyx. 



The Red Hemp-nettle (Gakopsis Ladanum), of the same order, 

 is common in chalky fields. It is about a foot in height, and displays 

 its rose-coloured flowers from July to October. The plant is covered 

 with very soft haiis, and the stem is not swollen at the joints. 

 These two features serve to distinguish the species from the Common 

 Hemp-nettle {G. tetrahit) and the Large-flowered Hemp-nettle {G. 

 versicolor) of the same genus. It should also be noted that the 

 corolla is not really red, as the common name suggests, biit rose- 

 coloured, while in G. tetrahit it is piuple or white, and in G. versicolor 

 it is yellow. The upper lip of the flower, too, is only slightly 

 notched. 



The Viper's Bugloss (Echium imlgare — order Boraginacece) is 

 common on dry soils, especially in calcareous districts, where it is 

 often found close to the sea, even on the beach very near high-water 

 level. It is a very peculiar plant, both stem and leaves being tliickly 

 covered with stiff, sharp bristles. The stem is unbranched, from 

 two to three feet high ; and the leaves are lanceolate. The flowers 

 are of a bright rose-colour when they first open, and afterwards 

 change to a bright purple-blue ; they are arranged in short, lateral, 

 curved, one-sided spikes. Both leaves and flowers droop very 

 rapidly after they have been gathered. This plant flowers from 

 June to August. 



