PERIW1NKLK. 211 



supported on peduncles longer than the leaves. The calyx 

 has five glabrous, lanceolate, somewhat subulate teeth, shorter 

 than the tube of the corolla. The corolla, which is spirally 

 imbricated in the bud, exhibits a whitish tube, dilated at the 

 summit, a plaited orifice, and a limb with five plane, ob- 

 lique, truncate segments of a purplish blue colour, rarely white. 

 The stamens are five, included, with short filaments enlarged 

 towards the summit into membranous scales, terminated by 

 erect, obtuse, cuneiform, approximated anthers. The germens 

 are two, sub-globose, with two glands at the base ; style obco- 

 nical, supporting a roundish depressed body, upon which is 

 situated the concave, knobbed, woolly stigma. The fruit* 

 consists of two elongated, erect, diverging follicles, one-valved, 

 opening longitudinally, and containing several oblong, fur- 

 rowed, naked seeds. Plate 36, fig. 1, (a) tube of corolla 

 opened to show the stamens ; (b) stamen magnified ; (c) calyx 

 and germens ; (d) pistil; (e) fruit, composed of two follicles. 



Lesser Periwinkle is found in hedges and woods in this 

 country, but too often near shrubberies to warrant the idea of 

 its being truly indigenous. It flowers in May and June, and 

 again in autumn. 



The generic name is derived from vincio, to bind, from its 

 being used in the olden time as a coronary plant, in which 

 character it was employed at public festivals, weddings, and 

 funerals. It was formerly called in Botanical works, Per- 

 vinca, from pervincere, to overcome, as some imagine, because 

 it resists the winter's cold : hence also the French Pervenche, 

 and the English Periwinkle or Pervinkle. It has also been 

 called Clematis, because of its tendency to climb, and Chamce- 

 daphne from the aspect of its leaves. 



The different species of Vinca are valued for their beauty, 

 and long continued flowering. There are cultivated varieties 

 of V. minor, with silver striped, gold striped, and double 

 flowers. The other British species, the greater Periwinkle {V. 

 major), differs from the preceding in its somewhat erect stem, 

 and ovate-cordate leaves, whose margin, as well as those of the 



* The fruit is not often to be met with, as the plant increases chiefly by 

 the root. It may be obtained however, by confining the plant in a pot, and 

 preventing the excessive increase of the roots. 



