FIGWORT FAMILY 353 



5 unequal, blunt, spreading lobes ; stamens lying on one side ; 

 anthers opening lengthwise ; ovary 2-chambered ; capsule opening 

 transversely by a lid, many-seeded. (Name in Greek signifying 

 Hog'S'bean.) 



1. H. niger (Common Henbane). — The only British species, 

 an erect, branched, herbaceous plant, i — 3 feet high, with large, 

 viscid, downy leaves, and funnel shaped, cream-coloured flowers, 

 generally with purple veins and a dark eye, arranged in a double 

 row along the upper side of curving branches, succeeded by 

 2-chambered capsules, which are enclosed by the calyx, and open 

 by lids which fall off when the seeds are ripe. — ^\'aste places, on 

 dry soil, especially near the .sea; frequent. The whole plant has 

 an exceedingly disagreeable smell of mice, and is dangerously 

 narcotic, especially at the lime when the ieds are ripening. An 

 e.xtract is used in medicine, and is often of great service, pro- 

 ducing the effect of opium without the unpleasant symptoms 

 which frequently follow the administration of that drug. The 

 eapsules and seeds of Henbane, smoked like tobacco, are a rustic 

 remedy for the toothache, but convulsions and temporary insanity 

 are said to be sometimes the consequences of their use. — Fl. May 

 — August. Annual or Biennial. 



ORD. LA'. SCROPHUL.\RIN,E — FiGWORT F.VMILY 



A large and important Order, containing nearly 2,000 species, 

 of which some are shrubs, but the greater number are herbaceous, 

 inhabiting all parts of the world, from the Arctic regions to the 

 Tropics. Their leaves are generally simple, and their flowers 

 monosynimetric ; calyx 4 — 5-lobed, persistent; corolla often 

 2-lipped or personate ; stamens usually 4, 2 long and 2 short 

 (didynamous), sometimes 2 or 5 ; ovary •2-chambered ; style i ; 

 stigma 2-lobed ; capsule 2-chambered, 2 — 4-valved, or opening by 

 pores. The general character of the species is acrid and bitter, 

 and some have powerful medicinal properties. The powdered 

 leaves of Foxglove (Digitdlis purpurea) lower the pulse, and, if 

 taken in large doses, are poisonous. Euphrasia (Eye-bright), the 

 " Euphrasy " of Milton, makes a useful eye-water. Among 

 foreign genera Gratiola is said to be the active ingredient in the 

 once famous gout medicine, " Eau me'dicinale." Euphrasia, 

 Odontites, Pedicuhiris, Rhindnthus, and Melampjrum are partly 

 parasitic, their roots being generally attached to those of grasses, 

 and their leaves small in proportion to their size and copious 

 flowering and seed-production. The Foxgloves, Snapdragons, 

 Toadflaxes, and Mulleins have showy and ornamental flowers, and, 

 together with several species of Veronica, are garden favourites. 



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