Scutellaria hyssopifolia. 7 



fruit, could readily forget the singular form of the calix, or rather 

 the capsule, which has given rise to the generic term Scutellaria. 

 The scutella of the Bomans was a small dish or saucer, to the shape 

 of which the capsules of these plants have been supposed to bear 

 a close resemblance ; and hence, or to the term scutulum, or little 

 shield, to which the coronal appendage has been likened, the genus 

 owes its name. It was called Cassida by Tournefort, from a com- 

 parison of the calix of the fruit to a helmet. The English name 

 Scull-cap, imposed on the whole genus, is referable to a similar re- 

 semblance to a kind of cap which fits close to the head (or scull) 

 to which a flat, concave crown is superincumbent. 



The American plants of this genus, are far from being well de- 

 fined or described. Several species are confounded with each other, 

 and though designated in the books, are imperfectly discriminated. 

 The present one has been passed by since the time of Michaux, 

 as a mere variety of S. integrifolia, a plant itself not well known, 

 and often confounded with one or two others. Yet it was discerned 

 by Linn reus; and the plant here figured, is the genuine S. hyssopifolia 

 of the Species Plantarum. It is designated by Gronovius as having 

 very entire leaves, and he seems to have known it well, though his 

 references to Plukenet and Ray are incorrectly applied to this spe- 

 cies. It is the S. hyssopifolia of Willdenow, and of Muhlenburg's ca- 

 talogue and herbarium ; and as its name is very appropriate and ex- 

 pressive, from the resemblance of the leaves to those of hyssop) 

 there does not appear any good reason for assigning to it the specific 



