232 ANALYSIS OF THE FLOWER. 



of the calyx, four tiny seeds (a tetrachcenium) grouped around 

 the style. These features indicate that our plant belongs, in 

 effect, like the bugle, to the Labiatae family. 



But mark the difference. In the bugle, as in all the 

 species of the same genus (Ajugd), as well as in all the 

 Teucriums of which wild sage (Teucrium scorodonid) is the 

 most widely-diffused type in all the Labiatse, the corolla 

 is apparently unilabiate, that is to say, the upper lip is 

 so shortened that only the lower is prominently visible. 

 This is not the case with our self-heal: it is distinctly bi- 

 labiate. The upper lip of the corolla here forms a positive 

 hood, sufficiently ample to protect the didynamous stamens 

 (two long and two short), as in Fig. 50, a ; the lower lip is 

 a b three-lobed, and the central lobe is 



largest of the three. By separating 

 the two lips, you can see the two 

 short stamens fixed to the base of the 

 lower one, and the two long attached to the central part of the 

 upper. (See Fig. 50, b.) 



Let us pursue the analysis of the flowery cone you hold in 

 your hand. 



The least practical eye is immediately struck by the arrange- 

 ment of the parts and the variety of the colours. To recognise 

 these things more thoroughly, please to cast your glances alter- 

 nately from the top to the base, and from the base to the apex 

 of its terminal flower. A little below the base you will see a 

 pair of opposite, entire, and sinuous leaves, with shorter stalks 

 than any of the others. The base is defined by two opposite, 



