HEATH FAMILY. 



207 



acrid and offensive a weed as this Lobelia. Several other species are 

 common, two of which are admired for the beauty of their blue and red 

 flowers. particularly the crimson Cardinal-flower, (L. cardina'lis, L.) ; 

 which is sometimes used by the " Indian doctors" under the name of 

 " High-belia" probably to distinguish it from " Low-belia." It is one 

 of the most showy of our wild flowers, bears transplanting to the garden, 

 and is worthy of being cultivated. A variety is sometimes met with in 

 which the flowers are all white. 



ORDER XLII. ERICA'CEJE. (HEATH FAMILY.) 



Shrubs or sometimes herbs with mostly alternate leaves without stipules, and regular or 

 nearly regular flowers. Corolla 4-5-lobed (rarely 4-5-petalled). Stamens as many or 



FIG. 141. A branch of Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata) with fruit and flowers. 142. An 

 enlarged flower showing its corolla split down on one side. 143. The same with calyx and 

 corolla removed, exposing the stamens united by both filaments and anthers. 



