Jfigwort family. 



Butter-and-Eggs. Linaria vulgaris. 



Jacob's Ladder. 



Ramsted. 



Found from July to September iu fields, meadows, and roadsides. 



The very leafy, and sliglitly branching, stalk varies in height from 

 1 to 2 or 3 feet; it is slender, round, of a firm close fibre, and smooth. 

 Light gray-green in coloi". 



The narrow long leaf is like a grass-blade, with an entire margin, 

 fine textui-e, and smooth surface. It is pale gray-green, lighter under- 

 neath. The leaves are set close on the stalk, the arrangement being 

 alternate, and near together. 



The flower is 2-lipped ; the lower lip is 3-lobed, the middle lobe 

 being short and small, with a swelling above, which nearly closes the 

 throat of the corolla ; the base of the lip is prolonged into a slender, 

 pointed spur ; the upper lip is 2-lobed, the divisions bend outward and 

 over the lower lip ; the texture is fine, and smooth, the throat being 

 lined with a glossy plush-like down ; the color is a pure lemon yellow, 

 the protuberance on the lower lip golden-orange. The 4 stamens are 

 pale with cheese-colored tips ; the pistil is tipped with green. The 

 small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers, on short small foot- 

 stems, are arranged alternately, and close, in a terminal spike, the spurs 

 turning downward. 



A charming feature of the blossom is the arch of the meeting tips 

 of the long pair of stamens above the shorter pair and the little pistil ; 

 the two rows of orange velvet that run down the inside of the corolla 

 are also highly ornamental. This plant is a prime favorite with chil- 

 dren, but few among grown observers stop to consider the admirable 

 clarity of its lemon and orange hues. It is gregarious and grows in 

 colonies. 



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