CLASS V. ORDER I.] MYOSOTTS. 235 



** Hairs at the base of the calyx spreading, and hooked at the 

 extremity, those of the limb straight. 



4. M. alpes'tris, Schmidt. (Fig. 313.) rock Scorpion-grass. Calyx 

 deeply five-cleft, when in fruit campanulate and open, shorter than the 

 slightly spreading pedicles, a few hairs only at the base, curved, lower 

 leaves on long narrow footstalks, limb of the corolla flat, longer than 

 the tube. 



English Flora, vol. 5. p. 253. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 102. 

 Lindley, Synopsis, p. 165^-M. rupicola English Botany, t. 2559. 



Hoot somewhat creeping. Stems several, from the same root, erect, 

 or bent at the base, from four to six inches or more high, round, sim- 

 ple, or slightly striated, clothed with soft spreading hairs. Leaves 

 numerous, hairy, the lower ovate, or ovate oblong, obtuse, on long 

 narrow footstalks, the upper, lanceolate, acute, sessile, mid-rib strong, 

 the lateral ones scarcely observable. Racemes terminal, in pairs, with 

 a solitary flower, and very rarely a small leaf at the axis of devarica- 

 tion, at first in dense clusters of numerous large splendid blue flowers, 

 on short stalks, which, however, elongate with the common stalk, and 

 become longer than the calyx, and slightly spreading ; the hairs of the 

 common stalk and pedicles of the calyx very short and close pressed. 

 Calyx large, for the size of the plant, of five lanceolate segments, more 

 than half cleft to the base, clothed in soft straight silky hairs, especially 

 towards their extremity, and with a few curved ones intermixed with 

 those at the base, the segments straight, not closing over the fruit. 

 Corolla large, as M. palustris, of a darker more brilliant blue, the 

 limb flat, rounded, longer than the tube ; the style as long as the tube 

 of the corolla. Stigma capitate. Fruit four ; smooth nuts. 



Habitat. Highland mountains, at a great elevation ; but, observes 

 Sir W. J. Hooker, " I am not sure that it is found except on the Bread- 

 albine range ; extending as far as Schechallion." 



Perennial ; flowering in July and August. 



The splendid colour of the flowers of this plant, crowded at the 

 extremity of their short stems, is extremely striking; and it is the 

 collecting of these mountain gems in the lofty regions of their birth, 

 that the true pleasure of possessing so great a prize gathered by ourselves 

 is felt; indeed, the beauty of this Myosotis is justly appreciated only 

 when seen blooming in its native place. It is found also on the 

 mountain ranges of Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, and others of 

 the Continent, and is regarded by some Botanists as a variety of 

 M. sylvatica. 



5. M. sylv'atica, Hoffm. (Fig. 314.) upright Wood Scorpion-grass. 

 Calyx deeply five-cleft, with spreading hooked bristles at the base ; 

 when in fruit ovate, and closed, shorter than the divergent pedicles ; 



VOL. I. 2 I 



