50 PLANTS: THEIR NATURAL GROWTH 



for a calyx. A very abnormal form of bract is seen in the Cuckoo-pint (Arum maculaium) : it 

 is shown in fig. 328, the large sheathing and enveloping body protecting the enclosed organs of 

 the true flower : this development is known as a spathe. 



Referring to our sheets for illustrative examples, we notice, in figs. 79, 81, the curious 

 involucre of three bracts forming a sort of outer calyx to the Musk Mallow, and the spiny 

 development of the involucral bracts of the Milk-thistle, fig. 103. Other examples of bracteal 

 forms are seen in the Everlasting Pea, fig. 163, and the blue Meadow Crane's-bill, fig. 184. When 

 the bracts are very small, they are sometimes called scales ; the Monk's-hood (fig. 228) is a good 

 illustration. The involucrum, so characteristic of capitulate flowers, is exceedingly well shown in 

 the Aster alpinus (fig. 296); while the Linum fiavum (fig. 279) and the Foxglove (fig. 286) 

 exemplify the gradual transition from foliate to bracteal form. 



PLATE 32. 



" The mountains old and hoar, 

 The chainless winds, the streams so pure and free, 



The God-enamel'd flowers, 

 The waving forest, the eternal sea. 

 The eagle floating o'er the mountain's brow, 

 Are teachers all." — Nicoll. 



Lamium maculatum, Spotted Nettle. This species, though occasionally found in a wild 

 state, will be more ordinarily met with in gardens, as, from its striking foliage and the profusion 

 of blossom, it is a favourite of the cottager. It is perennial and an early flowerer — ^two further 

 recommendations. The lower leaves have a white streak or a series of blotches, more or less 

 confluent, running down the centre, the upper leaves being sometimes as freely marked, at other 

 times green throughout, or blotched with purple. The general growth of the plant is very similar 

 to the common White Nettle (L. album), but the flowers, besides being purple in this species, are 

 only about half as numerous in each ring or whorl. Throughout Southern Europe the L. maculatum 

 takes the place of the L. album, being generally as common as the latter is with us. By some old 

 botanists the present plant was called the Urtica lactea, or Milk Nettle ; by others the Lamium albd 

 lined, or White-lined Nettle, both names being based on the characteristic marking of the leaves. 



Figs. 259, 260, give the natural growth of the plant, fig. 261 the cordate form of one of the 

 lower leaves, fig. 262 the more acute character of the upper leaves. Fig. 263 shews that the stem 

 of this species, like that of the Labiates generally, is quadrangular in section, a feature that, as we 

 see in the drawings of the general growth, gives a strongly marked character. Figs. 265, 266, and 

 267, are enlarged views of the flower, the first two giving its appearance in profile, with and 

 without the calyx ; the last, the front view of the blossom. Fig. 268 is the bud immediately 

 before expansion. 



The remaining illustrations are suggestions of ornamental treatment; the first, fig. 264, 

 being based on the foliage alone, while in figs. 269, 270, the inflorescence enters into the 

 composition. In fig. 269, the diaper is composed of a series of plan views of the whorls of buds, 

 the square being the central axis or stem-form; in fig. 270, the lateral or elevation growth is 

 suggested, the whole springing, as in Nature, from the point whence the leaves issue, and the 

 leaves, as in the natural growth of the plant, being alternately presented in front and side-view, the 

 plant, like the Ground-Ivy and many others, having its pairs of leaves at right angles, with those 

 that immediately precede or succeed them. 



The Lamium maculatum, from its general lightness of growth, the large size and pleasing 

 colour of its flowers and its striking foliage, beautiful alike in form and colour, will be found full 

 of suggestion, where design of a light and graceful character, as in lace, chintz, &c., is required. 



The leaves of the Wild Arum, or Lords and Ladies (fig. 328), are sometimes blotched with 

 white, though more ordinarily the spots are of a dull purple. Several of our plants have addi- 

 tional interest, speaking now as ornamentists, thus imparted to them ; we may merely mention here 

 the spots found on the leaflets of the various species of Trefoil, and the large single purple spot in 

 the centre of the leaf of the Persicaria ; the spotted stem of the Hemlock is a somewhat analogous 

 feature, and our readers will, doubtless, on but slight investigation, detect many other such 

 examples in Nature. The Milk Thistle, already figured and described, is a peculiarly fine 

 illustration. At Kew and other fine botanical collections, many tropical plants may be seen, that 

 owe all their interest and beauty to the brilliantly variegated colours of their foliage. ' The 

 Maranta leaf, already referred to, is a somewhat simple illustration ; many of the plants being 

 considerably richer in colour, some being blotched or streaked with crimson or purple ; others 

 with yellow, white, or black. 



