42 



and seeds. The flower is funnel-shaped, the top cut into five 

 round equal segments ; the mouth of the tube closed with five 

 rounded scales, and the tube itself bent. (This latter part must 

 be carefully looked to, because it is the only part that differs 

 from Alkanet in character.) The flowers are chiefly on the top 

 of the branches, and scattered in leafy spikes, small, but of a 



very clear beautiful blue. 



****< With bright blue eye 

 Your pains the Bugloss will repay, 

 And famed for driving care away." 



HOUND'S-TONGUE. CYNOGLOSSUM. 



COMMON HOUND'S-TONGUE. Cynoglossum officinale. 

 Plate 2, fig. 13. 



An upright plant, growing two feet high, on hedge-banks and 

 in waste ground, with lanceolate hairy leaves ; only the lower 

 ones stalked. The flowers are of a reddish purple color, tubu- 

 lar, but with a very short straight tube. The stamens are very 

 short, and covered over by the five roundish scales, which close 

 up the mouth of the corolla. The calyx is of one leaf, and 

 incloses four very rough yellowish green seeds. The whole 

 plant has a strong scent, like that of mice, by which it may be 

 at once known. 



O. S. Green- leaved Hound's-Tongue, found in the South of England. 



SCORPION GRASS. MYOSOTIS. 

 WATER SCORPION GRASS. FORGET-ME-NOT. M. palustris. 



Plate 2, fig. 14. 



Calyx when in fruit open. Limb of cor. flat, longer than tube. 

 How insipid and misplaced appears the above line of scientific 

 description, in the account of so well-known and lovely a plant, 

 yet without it how are we to know our charming gem from 

 other species scarcely less charming. This is 



"The flower that hath an eye as bright as noon, 

 And leaf as delicate as softest satin, 

 Called the ' Forget-me-not,' but known as well 

 By twenty names I cannot stop to tell." 



This is the favorite and lovely flower which is so often painted 

 and described : 



"This is affection's tribute, friendship's offering, 

 Whose silent eloquence, more rich than words, 

 Tells of the giver's faith, and truth in absence ; 

 And says ' Forget-me-not. 1 " 



