SCUTELLARIA WRIGIITIL — WRIGHTS SKULLCAI'. 43 



a greater number of species being found here than in any other 

 country. Geographically the genus is almost entirely restricted 

 to tlie temperate and cold regions, and only a few of its species 

 are found in the mountain districts of Brazil and Peru. In the 

 higher lands of Mexico the number of its representatives is 

 somewhat greater, and it keeps on increasing as we travel north- 

 ward. Across the Behring Straits it is found largely in the Rus- 

 sian possessions in Northern Asia, and then decreases as it 

 travels westwardly, until in England it is reduced to two species. 

 The species with which we are specially concerned is a native 

 of Texas, where it was discovered, at a comparatively recent 

 date, by Mr. Charles Wright, an indefatigable collector, whose 

 researches in Cuba and in Texas were of great value to science. 

 It was subsequently collected in June, 1872, on rocky banks near 

 Dallas, Texas, by Mr. E. Hall ; and Dr. Gray, who gave an 

 account of Mr. Hall's collections, named the species in honor of 

 the original discoverer. 



The calyx of the Scutellarias furnishes a remarkably interest- 

 ing subject for study. On the upper lobe or division of the 

 calyx, there is a small concave appendage, which seems to be 

 attached to the lobe by a hinge; and when the corolla fades and 

 falls, this appendage closes over the mouth of the calyx, thus 

 effectually preventing the escape of the seeds. Referring to this 

 fact in connection with a European species, an English writer 

 says that, " after the closing of the mouth, the calyx splits through- 

 out its whole leno^th, alons^ its two lateral rib-like sutures, the 

 dehiscence extending across the saccate process, whence the 

 entire upper half of the calyx is thrown off, leaving the lower 

 half persistent." The particular object of this singular contriv- 

 ance, or its use to the plant, is not clear; and it is quite likely 

 that a careful observation of it, in the light which the recent 

 developments in the science of morphology and vegetable physi- 

 ology afford, would lead to valuable results. 



The genus Scutellaria is also quite instructive, morphologi- 

 cally considered, in other respects. As a reference to the plate 



