VERONICA — SPEEDWELL. 205 



RCROPIIUL ARI A. — Fio wonT. 



Scrophularia nodosa Lhnu'. — Fiywort. 



DcHcriplion. — Calyx deeply 5-piirto(l, the lobes roundetl. CoroUn-tube 

 Homewliiit globular, twice the length of the calyx, the margin 5-lobeil, the 

 2 upper lobes longer than the 2 lateral, the lower spreading. Stamens 4, 

 turned downward ; a fifth rudimentary ntameu is situated at the summit 

 of the corolla-tube. Capsule 2-cclled, 2-valved, many-seeded. 



A coarse, erect perennial herb, 2 to 3 feet high. Stem quadrangular. 

 Leaves opposite, large, broadly ovate, or cordate, pointed, doubly crenate 

 or serrato. Flowers greenish-piu'ple, in loose cymes, forming a terminal 

 panicle ; they appear in summer. 



Habitat. — In damp woods ; common. Found also in Europe and Asia. 



Parts Used. — The leaves and root — not official. 



Constituents. — A peculiar principle, ticrophularin, and the common con- 

 stituents of plants. 



J'trparatitms. — Infusion and decoction. 



.Medical Properties and Use.^^. — This plant derives its generic name from 

 its supposed efficacy in scrofula, a sui^positiou long since proved to be 

 without foundation. If it have any active medicinal virtue, the fact is yet 

 to be ascertained. 



CHELOXE. — Tuktle-IIead. 



Chelone glabra Linne. — Turtle-Head, liabnony. 



Description. — Calyx : sepals 5, distinct, hnbricated. Corolla inflated- 

 tubulai', Avith the mouth but little open, 2-lipped, white ; the ujiper lip 

 arched, keeled in the middle, notched at the apex ; the lower lip 3-lobed, 

 woolly in the throat, the middle lobe smallest. Stamens, 4 perfect, woolly, 

 and a fifth smaller, sterile. Capsule ovate, manj'-seeded. 



A smooth perennial. Stem upright, branching. Leaves opposite, 

 lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, narrowed at the base into a very short 

 petiole. Flowers white, or tinged with rose-color, in sessile spikes or 

 clusters, appearing from July till autumn. 



Habitat. — In wet places ; common. 



l*art Used. — The herb — not official. 



Constituents. — A bitter principle which has not been isolated. 



Preparations — A decoction. 



3Iedical Projjerties and Uses. — Bahuony is laxative or purgative, accord- 

 ing to the dose administered. Its therapeutic limitations are, as yet, in- 

 definite. 



VEROXICA. — Si'KEDWEI.L. 



Character of the Genus.— Calyx 4-parted. Corolla rotate or salverform, 

 4-parted, the lateral lobes or the lower one narrower than the upper. 

 Stamens 2, one each side of the upper lobe of the corolla, exserted. Style 



