194 PLANTAGO. [class IV, ORDER I, 



])eaiii)g' a shovter, broader, denser spike, Bractem-. at the base of tlie 

 fiorets pale, thin, and shining-, with a green keel. Calyx pale and 

 shining, as well as the lanceolate reflexed segments of the corolla, 

 which gives the spikes a silvery appearance. Stamens long. Stigmas 

 long, downy. Cells of the capsules single-seeded. 



Habitat. — Meadows and pastures. Very frequent in England; less 

 so in Scotland. Pea-hill, below Feltrnni, Ireland — 3Ir. J. White. 

 But native specimens have not been seen by 3fr. Macl<ay. 



Perennial; flowering during the summer months. 



** Leaves lanceolate or linear. 



3, P. lanceola'ta, Linn. (Fig. 247.) Rihwort Plantain. Leaves 

 lanceolate; scape angular; spike ovate; capsule with two cells, 

 each single-seeded. 



English Botany, t. 607.— English Flora, vol. i. p. 214.--Lindlej', 

 Synopsis, p. 169. — Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 70. 



Root somewhat woody, with numerous spreading fibres. Leaves 

 mostly numerous, spreading or erect, lanceolate, tapering at the base 

 into a channelled footstalk of greater or less length, and surrounded at 

 its insertion with long, soft, glossy hairs, smooth or downy, especially 

 beneath, with about five prominent ribs; the margin smooth, or slightly 

 toothed. Inflorescence a compact ovate or ovate-lanceolate spike, upon 

 a long, slender, angular, channelled, downy scape. Bracteas hairy, 

 pale at the base, dark-brown at the point and keel. Corolla with four 

 pale, spreading, lanceolate, single-ribbed segments. Stamens long, 

 with large pale anthers. Cells of the capsules single-seeded. 



Habitat. — Meadows and pastures; abundant. 



Perennial ; flowering during the summer months. 



This is an extremely variable plant as regards the size to which it 

 attains. Fig. 248. represents a state in which it is found in poor gra- 

 velly situations ; the leaves not an inch long, sessile, or on very short 

 footstalks, and the spike of flowers small and globular. These speci- 

 mens contrast remarkably by the side of luxuriant plants, with leaves 

 six inches long, and spikes of flowers on stalks eighteen inches high, 

 the bracteas of which are developed into leaves, and forming a large 

 tuft disposed in a rose-like manner. Specimens are also occasionally 

 found, bearing several spikes on the summit of the stalk. Others are 

 also found, with the terminal spike bearing several others in a proli- 

 ferous manner; some sessile, others on short stalks. We do not, how- 

 ever, apprehend the student will find any difficulty in recognising any 

 (jf the various states in which it is found, as being other than monstro- 

 sities, or varieties depending upon the soil or situation of its growth. 

 This species has been cultivated under the name of Rib-grass, and was 

 thought to possess valuable properties; but it does not appear to be 

 vpli'^hcd by cattle, and has ceased to be esteemed among agriculturists. 



