PRIMULACE^. 14.') 



6e<2^mcnts lanceolate, acuminnte, marr^ined with iliiU red, ciliated. 

 Corolla widely iMlIsliapcd, with r) oval .subobtiise ascending sc;,nnciits, 

 •without a tooth in the sinus hctween them, dotted with yellow ;j;l!inds 

 on the inside only, not ciliated with jijland-tipped hairs. Stamens ft, 

 shorter than the corolla, combined at the base into a tube for a third 

 their length. Plant pubescent with jointed p;landuliir hairs or nearly 

 •jlabrous. 



In damp places and by the sides of ditches, rivers, &c. Rather 

 common, and generally distributed in England. Rare in Scotland, 

 especially on the east side, reaching north to Mull, in Argyllshire, and 

 Abeixleen. Local in Ireland, but generally distributed. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Percnniid. Late Summer, Autumn. 



Rootstoek creej)ing, emitting luunorous white stolons. Stem rather 

 stout, 18 inches to 4 feet high, simple or more or less branched. 

 Leaves generally in whorls of 3, or sometimes 4, or in weak i)lant3 

 opposite, variable in the length of the petiole, which is sometimes 

 scarcely discernible, at other times as much as | inch in length; 

 lamina 2 to 5 inches long, very variable in breadth, usually acu- 

 minated towards the apex, connnonly longer than the internodes, 

 the uppermost ones minute. IVdimcles at the top of the stem simple, 

 those in the axils of the ujjper leaves corymbosely branched, rarely 

 simple, very variable in length and in the mnnber of flowers they bear, 

 fonning by their union a short pyramidal panicle. Bracts strap- 

 shaped, usually much shorter than the pedicels. Calyx segnjents 

 bordered with jjurplish red, and with a very narrow pellucid margin, 

 which is ciliated with gland-tipped hairs. Corolla \ inch long, betwcon 

 bellshaped and tiiniielshaped, bright jcllow, thickly sprinkled with gl.mds 

 inside, glabrous without. Filaments often red, concealing the gurnK-n 

 in the tube formed by their combined bases, which is dotted over with 

 glands similar to those in the interior of the corolla. Capsule olten 

 abortive, when perfect globular, longer than the calyx, opening bv 5 

 valves. Seeds minute, trigonous, roughened with minute points, 

 fawn-coloured. Stem generally- pubescent, especially above, the pedi- 

 cels almost always clothed with short jointed glandular hairs, a few 

 of which are generally present on the back of the sepals ; leaves 

 bright green and subglabrous above, glaucous and more or less thickly 



Eubescent with short hairs beneath, unequally sprinkled with purplish 

 lack glandular dots. 



Common Loofiestrife. 



French, Lygimaqiie commune. Germtin,gemeinerFrie(llos. 



The rcputntion of this plant for taming fierce animals may possihly be traced to its 

 •nppo.sed sedative properties. The Ruinan.s believed that the flowers pnt under the 

 yokes of oxen kept them from qnaiTclling, and it is probable that the plant, by keejiing 

 VOL. VII. U 



