696 FAMILIES OF ANGIOSPERMS. 



not at hand, those that have been pressed and dried may be used for the 

 study of the entire plant and of the leaves. The flowers may be preserved 

 in formalin. 



1184. Lesson XX. The figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The mullein 

 (Verbascum), toad-flax (Linaria), turtle -head (Chelone), etc., are members 

 of the figwort family. The plants are mostly herbs. The stamens are 

 usually didynamous (four in two pairs, one pair shorter than the other) 

 or diandrous (two stamens). The stamens are inserted on the two-lipped 

 corolla-tube, which is more or less irregular. In some genera there are 

 five stamens, as in Verbascum. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY OF A FIGWORT. 



The Toad-flax (Linaria vulgaris). The toad-flax is widely distributed, 

 growing in waste places as a weed from June to October. 



The entire plant. Note the short, pale green perennial rootstock; the 

 longer erect annual stem; is it simple or branched? Leaves, form, and 

 arrangement. 



The inflorescence. The kind of inflorescence. The flower. What 

 parts of the flower are present? Describe the different parts. The calyx. 

 How many sepals indicated? What is the form of the calyx? The 

 corolla. Form. How many petals indicated? Describe the form of 

 the corolla and its parts. The stamens. How many, their position, size? 

 What is the significance of the difference in the size of the stamens ? The 

 pistil. Form, parts; form of the ovary; how many carpels present in 

 the pistil ? 



Study the adaptation of the flower for cross-pollination by the aid of 

 insects; the lower lip of the corolla as a landing place; since insects are 

 supposed to be attracted by bright colors, what portion of the flower serves 

 thus to direct the insect ? 



Note the spur on the corolla, and the nectary inside ; what kinds of insects 

 visit this flower? Imitate with the end of a pencil the entrance of an 

 insect in a flower and endeavor to make out how cross-pollination takes 

 place. 



Seed distribution. Examine ripe seed-pods, dry some of them, and 

 then take some of the dry ones and place in water. Describe the action 

 of the pod in scattering the seeds, and the causes. 



Other members of the family are interesting to compare with the toad- 

 flax, as the beard-tongue (Penstemon pubescens), turtle-head (Chelone 

 glabra), monkey-flower (Mimulus ringens), etc. 



Material. Entire plants with the underground stems. Flowers and 

 fruit. If fresh material cannot be had at the time of the study, dried plants 

 (pressed) will answer for the study of the entire plant. Flowers may be 

 preserved in formalin; fruits dry. 



