76 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



of 5 oblong-lanceolate acute segments about one-third to one- 

 fourth the length of the tube, not ciliated. Capsule sub-sessile. 



Sub-Species I.— Gentiana eu-Amarella. 



Plate DCCCCXVII. 



Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MXLVI. Figs. 4, .5, G. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 821. 



G. Amarella, Sm. Eng. Bot. No. 236. Fries, Sum. Veg. Scand. p. 16. Koch, Syn. Fl. 

 Germ, et Helv. ed. ii. p. 5G5. Gr. & Godr. Fl. de Fr. Vol. II. p. 494. 



Stem with the branches erect. Calyx-segments nearly equal, 

 flat. Corolla-tube cylindrical, slightly exceeding the calyx when 

 in flower, and less than twice as long in fruit. 



In pastures, especially in chalky aud limestone districts. 

 Rather frequent, and pretty generally distributed throughout 

 England ; more rare in Scotland, where it is chiefly confined to 

 the seacoast, reaching North to Caithness and Sutherland. Said 

 also to occur in Shetland ; but this requires confirmation. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Autumn. 



Stem 3 to 15 inches high, with leaves ^ to 1 J inch long, broadest 

 near the base, and then tapering gradually to the apex, generally 

 rather distant ; branches short, those towards the base of the stem 

 longest, giving a somewhat pyramidal figure to the more branched 

 specimens. Flowers ^ to f inch long, dull lurid-purple ; the stems 

 and leaves frequently tinged with the same colour. 



Autumnal Gentian. 



French, Gentiane Amarelle. German, Schwachbittere Genziane. 



The English Gentian possesses in a degree the properties of Gentiana lutea, 

 which is used in medicine. The old English name of Felwort is applied to the 

 whole family, and is said by Dr. Prior to refer to the bitterness of the species ; 

 " from /el, gall, and wort or lourz, a root f but we are rather tempted to derive it from 

 fel, a hill, so peculiarly is the Gentian a mountain plant. The Gentian is one of the 

 most successful medicines in rustic pharmacy, and probably does less harm than nio:>t 

 remedies so prescribed. A very favourite form in which it is administered, is as an 

 ingredient in the so-called Stockton bitter, in which the Gentian and the root of the 

 sweet flag play the principal part. 



Sub-Species II. — Gentiana Germanica. WUU. 



Plate DCCCCXVIII. 



Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MLXLVII. 



Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 14:9. 



Stem with the larger branches ascending. Calyx-segments 

 unequal, one or two of them broader and more acuminate, often 



