278 HEDGE-NETTLE. 



flowers are disposed in crowded whorls at the top of the stem. 

 The calyx is campanulate, ten-ribbed, with five awn-tipped 

 teeth, often purplish. The corolla is ringent, purplish-red ; the 

 upper lip entire, arched ; the lower lip patent, obcordate, two- 

 lobed, with one tooth on each side. The four stamens are 

 didynamous, covered by the upper lip, with oblong anthers con- 

 taining scarlet pollen. The germen is four-parted, with a fili- 

 form style, and a bifid spreading stigma. The fruit consists 

 of four achenia, somewhat triangular, and convex on one side, 

 seated in the persistent calyx. Plate 23, fig. 4, (a) corolla mag- 

 nified ; (6) anther ; (c) calyx and pistil. 



This very common plant flourishes under hedges, and by the 

 borders of fields, especially in cultivated ground, flowering from 

 May to September. 



Various etymologies of the word Lamium are given by authors. Some 

 derive it from Xaifios, the throaty on account of the shape of the flower ; 

 others from Lamia, a celebrated sea-monster or sorceress, whose visage it 

 was supposed to emulate. It does not appear to be the Lamium of Pliny*. 

 This species is called provincially Red Archangel and Dee Netllei. 



The plant is occasionally eaten by horses, goats, and sheep, but refused 

 by cows. The young shoots are used as greens in some parts of Northern 

 Europe. 



Qualities. — The plant diffuses a heavy and disagreeable odour, espe- 

 cially when bruised, and a nauseous, herbaceous, sub-astringent taste. 

 Water extracts the whole of its sensible qualities. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — The decoction of this plant has 

 been chiefly commended in dysentery, also in pleurisy, inflammation of the 

 kidneys, scrofula, and various diseases of the digestive organs. It was 

 likewise esteemed useful as an external application to swellings, whether 

 inflammatory or otherwise, also to foul, obstinate ulcers and wounds, and to 

 burns and scalds when suppurating freely. The flowers X of the White 

 Dead-Nettie were considered almost a specific in fluor albus and other female 

 disorders, but apparently with no just foundation. " In the inflammatory 

 complaints above enumerated, the infusion of this plant, from its diuretic 

 and sudorific properties, may be found useful as common drink ; and with 

 a little pains it may be rendered sufficiently palatable."§ 



* Hist. lib. xxii, c. 14. 



+ The common White Dead-Nettie {^Lamium alburn) is distinguished at 

 ©noe by its larger size, large white flowers, and rough acuminate leaves ; 

 beaides which it is perennial. 



■^ Probably on account of their colour. 



§ J. A Waller, /. c. p. 185. 



