COEOLLIELOKJi. 327 



counted among Scrophulariacese, to that Order, as the only means of 

 setting a definite boundary between the Orders, these genera having a 

 transverse ridge connecting their opposite leaves an indication of the 

 characteristic interpetiolar stipules of Loganiaceae. With Orobanchacese, 

 again, the connexion is close, especially through the root-parasitism of 

 many genera, all of which approach closely in the general structure of the 

 flower to Orobanche ; for the carpels are really anterior and posterior in 

 that Order as they are here, and the main distinction is, that the margins 

 are not folded-in to form a dissepiment, so that Orobanchaceee have pa- 

 rietal instead of axile placentation, to which is added their minute rudi- 

 mentary embryo. A general resemblance exists between the present 

 Order and the other didynamous gamop^etalous Orders ; but Gesneracese, 

 Pedaliaceae, and Crescentiaceae have parietal placentas ; Bignoniaceae and 

 Acanthac'eae have aperisperniic seeds, and Lentibulacese a free central 

 placenta. 



The morphology of the corolla in this Order is well deserving of atten- 

 tion : curious monstrosities not unfrequently occur in cultivation, in which 

 the normal irregularity is obliterated by a repetition of the pouches, spurs, 

 or similar developments in each constituent petal, as in Linaria^ where a 

 5-spurred corolla occurs with a symmetrical limb (Pelorian variety) in 

 this instance the regularity is due to the increased number of the usually 

 irregular parts ; in other cases the flower becomes perfectly regular -by the 

 complete absence of pouches and spurs. Calceolaria sometimes occurs 

 with a somewhat campanulate, regular corolla, c. Many of the Scro- 

 phulariacese are parasitic upon the roots of other plants, as, for example, 

 Melampyrum, Rhinanthus, and their allies, which, however, appear to 

 be only partly nourished in this way, having distinct roots ; they are 

 remarkable for turning black when dried ; Btriga, an exotic genus, is 

 still more distinctly parasitical ; and Buchnera hydrabadensis has scale- 

 like leaves similar to those of Orobanche. In some of the genera (Mimtdus 

 &c.), where the style is divided at the apex, it is developed into two flat 

 laminae, which exhibit irritability. Chatin says that the stamens appear 

 simultaneously, and that it is only after birth that the irregularity in 

 number and form becomes manifest ; but that does not accord with our 

 observations. The probability is that the development varies in different 

 genera. Pentstemon heterandrum has the fifth stamen antheriferous. 



Distribution. A very large group, the species of which are universally 

 diffused and very abundant. 



Qualities and Uses. More or less acrid, or bitter ; mostly unwhole- 

 some ; sometimes deadly poisons. Digitalis purpurea, our native Fox- 

 glove, the officinal plant, is an extremely powerful sedative poison, both 

 in the foliage and the seeds ; the allied species D. lutea, ochroleuca, 

 Iceviyata, &c. are equally active. The species of Verbascum have a share 

 of this property, especially in the seeds. The Scrophvlarue, Linarice, and 

 Veronica are all more or less bitter and acrid, and suspicious ; Gratiola is 

 violently purgative and emetic. 



This Order is remarkable for the number of beautiful flowering herbs it 

 contains. The Snap-dragon, or Dragon's-mouth (Antirrhinum maju*), 

 the species of Veronica, Mimulus (of which the Musk-plant, M. moschatus, 

 is remarkable, among plants of this order, for its fragrance), Linaria, Pent- 

 stemon, Calceolaria, Maurandya, &c. are in eveiy garden ; and of their 



