22 FLO WERSAiND FRUITS. 



shrubbery by its noble spikes of pendant flowers, which hang with 

 such peculiar grace from the spiral branches that they may be 

 compared to a tower of Chinese bells, balanced for the pleasure of 

 the Zephyrs. When these flowers advance from the calyx, they 

 are scarcely closed at the end by the four clefts of the corolla, 

 which meet so exactly as to prevent the admission of air until the 

 parts of fructification have arrived at maturity, at which period 

 the lips of the flower burst open in a bell or trumpet shape, dis- 

 playing the most beautiful leopard spots in the interior of the 

 flower. In this state the corolla remains for some days, until 

 the anthers have discharged their farina, when the mask drops 

 off that the sun may more readily ripen the seed vessels; but as 

 fresh flowers -continue to open in a regular succession, upwards, 

 from the month of June to September, the beauty of the plant 

 is continued for a longer period than most other towering flowers. 



The covering of the parts of fructification, reminds us of 

 Flint's remarks, in relation to similar cases. Nature, says he, 

 is always modest, and when the mystery is accomplished and 

 the flower cup fecundated, the peduncle that sustains the flower 

 turns up again towards the sky. Its bower of love was con- 

 cealed ; but it shows the cradle of its children. 



The leaves of this plant have a nauseous, bitter taste, but 

 uncommon scent; when dried their color should be of a lively 

 green ; a fortunate test of the care used in the process, as this 

 plant is now coming into extensive use. When given in large 

 doses, it has the remarkable property of almost instantly redu- 

 cing the action of the heart, lowering the pulse from seventy beats 

 in a minute to thirty, and even twenty-five ; and that too without 

 previously exciting it. There is a variety with white corollas, to 

 be seen sometimes in the gardens, which may be obtained by 

 retaining the seeds of the common Foxglove a year without 

 sowing them. Cowley says j 



The Foxglove on fair Flora's hand is worn, 



Lest while she gathers flowers, she meets a thorn* 



