FIGWORT. 307 



bractefe. The calyx is divided at the margin into five rounded 

 lobes, edged witli purple. The corolla is reddish purple, much 

 longer than the calyx, tubular, nearly globose, with an inflated 

 tube ; limb short;, two-lipped ; the upper lip orbicular, with two 

 lobes, and a small scale or abortive stamen within it ; the lower 

 lip with three lobes, of which the middle one is reflexed. The 

 stamens are four, didynamous, inclined towards the lower lip, 

 with two-celled anthers. The germen is superior, ovate, termi- 

 nated by a simple style and stigma. The capsule is ovate-acu- 

 minate, two-celled, two-valved, the margins of the valves turned 

 inwards, containing several small seeds. Plate 18, fig. 3, (a) 

 calyx and pistil ; (6) corolla ; (c) the same opened to show the 

 stamens ; (d) the pistil ; {e) capsule ; (/) the same cut trans- 

 versely. 



This plant flourishes by the sides of rivers, and in watery 

 places. Its flowers, which are not inelegant, appear in July and 

 August. 



Figwort seems to have been unknown to the ancients, it is at 

 least vmnoticed in their writings. The generic name was be- 

 stowed in consequence of the reputed efficacy of the plant in 

 scrofula. The species here described is called in some counties 

 Brown-wort, and in Yorkshire Bishop's leaves. 



The species best known, perhaps, is the Knotted Figwort, 

 (^Scrophidaria nodosa,) with a large, thick knotty root, heart- 

 shaped triangular acute leaves, doubly serrated, at the margin, 

 and greenish purple flowers. It is frequent in woods and moist 

 ground, and is very similar in properties to the one here figured. 

 There are two other indigenous species. Balm-leaved Figwort, 

 {S. Scorodonia,) and Yellow Figwort (S. vernaUs). 



Qualities. — Water Figwort exhales when fresh a strong 

 disao-reeable odour, which is supposed to be of the narcotic kind 

 and is partly lost in drying. The taste is bitter, rather acrid 

 and nauseous. It yields its active matter both to water and 

 alcohol. " The aqueous infusion is but slightly bitter, has the 

 odour and taste of cherry-kernels and is not very unpleasant :,. 

 a solution of sulphate of iron renders it of a dark semi-opaque 

 green, but it does not affect litmus paper."* 



Goats eat this plant, but other animals refuse it. Wasps and 

 bees resort greatly to the flowers. 



* Alston Mat. Med. vol. i. p. S19. 



