212 STUDY OF COMMON PLANTS. 



XXXIV. THE BORAGE FAMILY. 

 BORRAGINACEJE. 



* 

 MATERIAL REQUIRED. 



Common hound's-tongue, Cynoglossum officinale, L., in flower. 



Similar specimens of any of the following genera : Echinospermurn, 

 Mertensia, Lithospermum, Symphytum, Heliotropium, Myosotis. 

 Cultivated species of some of these, as forget-me-not and helio- 

 trope, will serve a good purpose. 



HOUND'S-TONGUE. Cynoglossum officinale, L. 

 Distribution and General Characters. 



I. This species is described as an introduced weed. Do 

 its habits confirm this statement? 



II. Examine the plant with reference to general feat- 

 ures. Note its coarse aspect, hairy surface, and dis- 

 agreeable odor. 



Inflorescence. 



The inflorescence is characteristic and should be criti- 

 cally studied, as it is of a form that appears in many rep- 

 resentatives of this family. 



I. Notice first the order of development of the flowers. 

 The lowest have already formed their fruits ; higher up 

 are the open flowers, and at the apex are the unopened 

 flower buds. 



II. The inflorescence is apparently a one-sided raceme. 

 Is it really so ? Notice the position of an open flower. Is 

 it terminal or lateral ? 



