56 PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



This is perhaps the most beautiful of our native plants, 

 equal, in the opinion of Mr CURTIS, to the Kalmias, the 

 Rhododendrons, and the Ericas of foreign climates, 

 " which are purchased at an extravagant price, and kept 

 up with much pains and expense, while this delicate na- 

 tive, which might be procured without any expense, and 

 cultivated without any trouble, blossoms unseen, and 

 wastes its beauty in the desert air." An infusion of the 

 root and leaves is much used by the common people in 

 this neighbourhood in dyspeptic complaints. Formerly 

 its virtues were highly extolled by many medical practi- 

 tioners, and though now little used, it is apparently fully 

 equal in strength to other bitters, and may hereafter les- 

 sen our dependence on foreign drugs. In West Bothland, 

 in times of scarcity, the roots are ground and mixed with 

 the corn to make bread, " qui admodum amarus est et 

 detestabilis ;" while, in other districts of Lapland and in 

 Norway, they are given to domestic cattle, which devour 

 them fresh, notwithstanding their bitterness. 



67. LYSIMACHIA. 



* Stalks many -flowered. 



1. L. vulgaris, stem erect, 3 or 4 feet high; leaves ovate-Ian, 

 ceolate, opposite, 2-4 together; clusters panicled, terminal; 

 flowers yellow. Yellow Loose-strife. 



Hob. Sow -mire near Swinton, Berwickshire, MrW. Baird. 

 July, Aug. If 



* * Stalks single flowered. 



2. L. nemorum^ stem creeping; leaves ovate, acute; flowers 

 solitary, yellow ; stamens smooth. Wood Loose-strife. 



Hob. Moist woods and watery places. Haidendean, Dr 

 Thompson. Common in the wooded banks below Lang- 

 ley Ford, and in the bogs at the base of the Cheviot 

 mils. JuneSept. 7f 



68. ANAGALLIS. 



1. A. arvensis, stem procumbent; leaves ovate, sessile, dotted 

 beneath ; corolla minutely notched, scarlet. Scarlet Pimpernel. 

 Hab. Corn fields, not common in the immediate vicinity ; 

 but it seems to have selected Holy Island as a favourite 



