ORD. II.] J^O. A. CltlSTA GALLI. 399 



site to one another, and compose together a richly furnisljt-d 

 ear. The calyx is almost stalkless, inflated, menibranaceous, 

 having reticular veins, with a contracted lour-loolhcd (>jAn- 

 ing. The corolla is yellow, about one-hall longer than the 

 calyx, w4th two hps, and almost personate. 1 he upper lip 

 is arched, compressed, externally set with short hairs, with 

 an obtuse, often an emarginated, sometimes a violct-colourcd 

 beak. The lower lip has three short, yellow lobes, which 

 press upon the upper lip. Four filaments of unequal length 

 are fixed in the tube of the corolla, and carry lour an- 

 thera? of two loculi, pointed laterally, and ciliated, which 

 never rise above the upper lip. The germen has on its 

 lower margin the nectary, as an insulated gland, and car- 

 ries a simple pistillum, with a somewhat thickened stigma. 

 The fruit is a double, compressed capsule, the partition of 

 which goes right across the loculi. On this partition are 

 placed the flat compressed, marginated seeds, containing the 

 embryon opposite to the umbilicus in the albuminous sub- 

 stances. 



Diagnosis ami Affimty. 



We find, according to difference of soil, many subspecies 

 of this plant, of which Alcct. Idrsutus Allion. {U/iliKuU/m.f 

 AlcdorolopJnis, PoHich.), is distinguished by its size and 

 hairs. It is about two feet high ; the stem is furnished wiili 

 red spots and with soft hairs : so also is the calyx. "^Ve are 

 prevented from constituting it a peculiar species, by its mark- 

 ed ti*ansitions, and by its want of uniformity. Still less could 

 we form a new division in regai-d to Rhlnanthus mhior 

 Ehrh., and alpinus Baumg. The former is distinguished 

 simply by its less size, smaller leaves, and inck)sed pistillum. 

 But in this species, as in several plants, the jjistillum has a 

 different length according to the diflerent age of tlie blossom. 

 At first it is inclosed, afterwards it projects a little. Lastly, 

 if the Rhlnanthus alpinus Baumg. is to be dislinguishtd by 

 its variegated, violet, and yellow flowers; this colouring is 

 also found in the common yellow rattle, and we can onl\ , 

 therefore, regard these difPrrent frrms as sn(fs|xcies 



