270 VERBASCUM, [class v. ORDER I, 



/S. ovalum. The lower leaves ovate, or ovate oblong, contracted at 

 each end, scarcely cordate at the base, petiolated. — Verbascum nigro- 

 Lychnitis. — Schrad. 



A variety sometimes found, especially in a dry situation. 



Root tapering. Stem simple, from two to four feet high, slightly 

 angular, purplish, smooth below, above scattered over with a short 

 soft woolliness; leafy. Leaves green above, and smooth or slightly 

 scattered over with down, beneath pale and woolly, the margins some- 

 times waved, simply or doubly crenated, with a prominent mid-rib 

 beneath, with branched reticulated veins, oblong, heart-shaped, the 

 radical ones large, sometimes a foot long, on long channelled footstalks, 

 the upper ones smaller, cordate lanceolate, with a gradually shorter 

 stalk, the upper ones nearly sessile. Inflorescence a simple rarely 

 branched racemose spike, of numerous crowded flowers, some sessile, 

 others on a short stalk in alternate clusters, of a bright yellow colour. 

 Bractea narrow, linear, long, downy. Calyx of five linear, nearly 

 equal, somewhat downy segments. Corolla rather small, wheel-shaped, 

 with a short tube. The limh of five ovate obtuse spreading segments, 

 downy on the outside, smooth within. Stamens nearly equal, the 

 filaments densely clothed with purple down. Anthers equal, dark 

 orange colour, or purple. Style nearly as long as the corolla, hairy 

 below, smooth and thickened upwards. Stigma obtuse. Capsule 

 ovate, somewhat compressed, downy, surrounded by the persistent 

 calyx, of two cells, opening with two valves. Seeds numerous, 

 angular, small. 



Habitat. — Banks, road sides, and waste places, especially in a 

 gravelly or chalky soil, but not common; rare in Scotland; near 

 Boglehill, east of Cockenzie. — Mr. Neill. Links between Seaton and 

 Gosford. — Dr. Yule. Banks of the river Esk, opposite Coal-pits, and 

 at Brothwick Castle. — Mr. Maugham. Not known in Ireland. 

 Perennial ; flov.ering in July and August. 



This is a striking and beautiful plant, readily distinguished from the 

 other species. It is said to possess narcotic properties, and to be one 

 of the plants used by poachers to intoxicate fish, for the purpose of 

 capturing them. The whole plant is mildly astringent, said to be 

 useful in a weakened state of the bowels ; and Galen says that a de- 

 coction of it is useful as a wash for the mouth, in pains of the teeth 

 and gums. 



7. V. virga'tum, With. (Fig. 352.) large-flowered Primrose-leaved 

 Mullein. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, toothed, sessile, partly decurrent, 

 the radical ones downy, somewhat lyrate, stem erect, branched, flowers 

 in long racemes of small alternate clusters, nearly sessile. 



English Botany, t. 550. — English Flora, vol. i. p. 312. — Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 112. — Lintlley, Synopsis, p. 181. 



Root of thick tapering fleshy branches. Stem from five to six feet 



