316 st. john's-wort. 



The stems are erect, from one to two feet or more in height, 

 firm, glabrous, cylindrical, but ridged between each joint by 

 two opposite angles, continuations of the midrib of each leaf, 

 which render the stem two-edged. The leaves are small, 

 sessile, opposite, each pair crossing those immediately below, 

 oblong or obovate-lanceolate, Tather obtuse, entire, glabrous, 

 light green, sprinkled with numerous pellucid dots; a small 

 simple leafy branch proceeds from the axil of each lower leaf. 

 The flowers are disposed in terminal leafy panicles, on dicho- 

 tomous branches, with oblong, opposite bracteae at the base 

 of each pedicel. The calyx consists of five, lanceolate, acute, 

 entire sepals, margined with black glandular dots. The five 

 petals are ovate, acute, bright yellow, entire at one margin, 

 crenate at the other, glandular like the calyx. The stamens 

 are numerous, usually in three parcels, terminated by yellow, 

 roundish didymous anthers, each tipped with a dark purple dot 

 or gland. The germen is superior, ovate, glabrous, supporting 

 three diverging styles, terminated by simple, convex, crimson 

 coloured, (occasionally whitish,) stigmas. The capsule is three- 

 sided, three-celled, tipped with the permanent styles, and 

 contains several small, oblong, shining, blackish-brown seeds. 

 Plate 42, fig. 1, (a) calyx ; (h) petal ; (c) stamen, natural size; 

 (d) the same magnified ; (e) pistil ; (/) capsule, subtended by 

 the calyx ; (g) transverse section of the same. 



This plant is very frequent in woods, thickets, and under 

 hedges ; flowering in July and August. 



The generic name is derived from virtpixov, a term employed 

 by the ancient Greek writers to denote the St. John's- Wort, 

 or some similar plant. Dioscorides* gives a short description 

 of the wtpiKov, but it is as usual vague and indefinite. The 

 term is probably derived from vntp, aver, ukwv an apparition, 

 in allusion to the reputed influence of the plant over mental 

 delusions ; hence also the old name fuga dcemonum. The com- 

 mon name St. John's- Wort originated in the appearance of the 

 blossoms about St. John's day. 



The genus contains several individuals more or less noted 

 for their elegance and beauty, and on this account frequently 

 cultivated. The British species amount to eleven, some of which 



* Mat. Med. lib. iii. c. 171. 



