LABIATE. 469 



to the tribe of Root-parasites. This is particularly the case with species 

 of Euphrasia, Rhinanthus, Bartsia, Melampyrum, and Pedicularis. 

 These parasites differ from Broom-rapes in having green leaves, and 

 they seem to be apparently independent after they have acquired a 

 certain degree of development. The species of Mimulus have a bila- 

 mellate stigma, the two lamellae of which are irritable, and close when 

 irritated. The movements of the stigma are probably in some way 

 connected with fertilization. One of the species, Mimulus luteus, has 

 become naturalized in many parts of Britain, as in the neighbourhood 

 of Edinburgh, on the shores of the Clyde, the Isle of Skye, Perthshire, 

 itc. Mimulus moschatus is cultivated on account of its musk-like 

 odour. The most important medicinal plant of the order is Digitalis 

 purpurea. Foxglove, the leaves and seeds of which are employed in 

 the form of powder, tincture, and infusion. The leaves have a bitter 

 taste, which they retain when carefully dried. In large doses they 

 act as a narcotico-irritant poison, and in small doses they are used as 

 sedative of the circulation, and diuretic. Their continued use causes 

 great slowness of the pulse, and hence their employment in diseases of 

 the heart, and in haemorrhages, such as haemoptysis. In dropsical 

 cases, especially those connected with diseased heart, Digitalis is exten- 

 sively used. Its active properties are due to the presence of a crystal- 

 line principle called Digitalin. Several other species of Digitalis, such 

 as D. Icevigata, grandiflora, lutea, and tomenlosa, have similar properties. 

 The leaves of Scrophularia nodosa, knotted Figwort, have irritant 

 qualities, and have been used as emetic and cathartic remedies. In 

 the form of ointment and fomentation, they have been applied to 

 diseases of the skin and tumours. The woolly leaves of Verbascum 

 Thapsus, Great Mullein, are emollient and slightly narcotic. They 

 have been used in some pectoral affections. The species of Melampy- 

 rum are called Cow-wheat, in consequence of being relished by cows. 

 Euphrasia officinalis, Eye-bright, or Euphrasy, was formerly used in 

 cases of ophthalmia. Some of the species of Linaria and Calceolaria 

 are used for dyeing. Linaria vulgaris exhibits what Linnasus called 

 Peloria (^[ 654, 655), by the flowers being 5-spurred in place of 

 1-spurred, and thus becoming regular. Gratiola officinalis, Hedge- 

 hyssop, is bitter and acrid, and is said to enter into the composition 

 of the Eau medicinale, so much vaunted as a remedy for gout. The 

 leaves of Veronica officinalis are bitter and astringent, and are some- 

 times used as tea. 



966. Order 137. rabiaue (Lamiaceae of Lindley), the Labiate 

 Family. (Monopet. Hypog.) Calyx tubular, inferior, regular or bila- 

 biate, persistent (figs. 670, 672 c). Corolla monopetalous, hypogy- 

 nous, bilabiate; upper lip entire or bifid, lower 3-lobed (figs. 299, 

 670, 671). Stamens 4 (fig. 669), didynamous (fig. 671 e), some- 

 times 2 by abortion, inserted into the corolla, and alternate with the 



