28 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
the ground is not round like Orobanche, but slender or long, and of 
a yellowish white colour, with many small brittle roots growing 
vnderneath confusedley, wrapt or folded together like those of 
the common Nidus avis. The whole plant as it appeareth above 
ground, both stalkes, leaues, and floures, is of a violet or deepe 
purple colour. 
The absence of bracts from the inflorescence is much against 
the plant being violacea; but the reference to the colour of the 
of this conclusion f it was not Lathraea, as suggested by 
Mr. Yalden, the date is sufficient to prov r is there any 
corroboration of the plant being Li um, as suggested by 
€ definite publication of E. purpurata dates from the 
English Flora, 1828; but it must also be borne in mind, as Mr 
James Forbes, of Wob n 
although not particularly happy, leave no doubt that the same 
species is meant. The specimen was obtained from woods at 
Woburn Abbey, Beds, where I have seen it growing. He rightly 
another specimen of Forbes from the same county is an abnormal 
barren plant. ~ 
The specific name purpurata has thus priority over that of 
violacea, the latter dating only from 1840. The name must there- 
fore stand as :— 
d, in this species the flowering-spike appears, 
than its allies, latifolia and media, but the 
vem ot haustoria, or indeed does there seem more than 
accidental contact with other roots. There is present, however, 
