PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 127 



lipped, with long ascending tube ; the upper lip helmet-shaped and curving over 

 the lower lip, which is flaring and indented at the apex. Stamens ; four ; in 

 pairs of unequal length. Pistil ; one ; stigma two-lobecl. Leaves : opposite ; 

 lanceolate ; toothed. Stem : smooth and branching. 



The family of scutellarise are domestic in their tendencies, 

 and give their best thoughts and attention to their children ; 

 for it must be remembered that the seeds are the children of 

 the flowers. On the upper lobe of the calyx there is attached, 

 as though by a little hinge, a sort of concave appendage, or 

 cap. It appears quite superfluous when the bloom is fresh ; but 

 as soon as the corolla fades and falls this little cap closes 

 tightly down over the mouth of the calyx, and so prevents the 

 escape of the seeds. The S. lateriflora, which is quite a conse- 

 quential little inhabitant of wet places, was at one time con- 

 sidered an unfailing cure for hydrophobia. 



S. galericulata is a more handsome flower that is found farther 

 north. It has single flowers which grow from the axils of the 

 leaves. Plate CXXVIII illustrates the scutellaria of sandy soil. 



OBEDIENT PLANT. FALSE DRAGON HEAD. (Plate LXIfl.) 

 Physostegia Virginiana. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Mint. Pinkish crimson. Scentless. New York southward and Summer. 



t westward. 



Flowers : growing closely in a dense spike on axillary flower-stalks. Calyx ; 

 bell-shaped, of five-toothed sepals. Corolla : funnel-form ; inflated ; two-lipped, 

 the upper lip arched and broad ; the lower one of three spreading lobes, the 

 centre lobe pale and dotted with a deep colour. Stamens : four ; in pairs. 

 Pistil : one ; style two-lobed. Leaves : opposite; lanceolate ; serrated. Stem : 

 square ; one to four feet high ; slightly branched. 



When a little fish comes to the surface of the water and 

 opens his mouth his expression is not unlike that of these 

 flowers. They have, however, none of the darting, evasive ten- 

 dencies of the fish. The flower is most docile. Strangely 

 enough, it appears to be without any elasticity, and will remain 

 in exactly the position in which it is placed for an indefinite 

 time. From this characteristic the plant quite carries off the 

 palm of obedience among the flowers. 



