VERONICA SPEEDWELL. 205 



SCROPHULARIA.— Figwort. 



Scrophularia nodosa Linne. — Figwort. 



Description. — Calyx deeply 5-parted, the lobes rounded. Corolla-tube 

 somewhat globular, twice the length of the calyx, the margin 5-lobed, the 

 2 upper lobes longer than the 2 lateral, the lower spreading. Stamens 4, 

 turned downward ; a fifth rudimentary stamen is situated at the summit 

 of the corolla-tube. Capsule 2-celled, 2-valved, many-seeded. 



A coarse, erect perennial herb, 2 to 3 feet high. Stem quadrangular. 

 Leaves opposite, large, broadly ovate, or cordate, pointed, doubly crenate 

 or serrate. Flowers greenish-purple, in loose cymes, forming a terminal 

 panicle ; they appear in summer. 



Habitat. — In damp woods ; common. Found also in Europe and Asia. 



Parts Used. — The leaves and root — not official. 



Constituents. — A peculiar principle, scrophular'in, and the common con- 

 stituents of plants. 



Preparations. — Infusion and decoction. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — This plant derives its generic name from 

 its supposed efficacy in scrofula, a supposition long since proved to be 

 without foundation. If it have any active medicinal virtue, the fact is yet 

 to be ascertained. 



CHELONE. —Turtle-Head. 



Chelone glabra Linne. — Turtle-Read, Balmony. 



Description. — Calyx : sepals 5, distinct, imbricated. Corolla inflated- 

 tubular, with the mouth but little open, 2-lrpped, white ; the upper lip 

 arched, keeled in the middle, notched at the apex ; the lower lip 3-lobed, 

 woolly in the throat, the middle lobe smallest. Stamens, 4 perfect, woolly, 

 and a fifth smaller, sterile. Capsule ovate, many-seeded. 



A smooth perennial. Stem upright, branching. Leaves opposite, 

 lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, narrowed at the base into a very short 

 petiole. Flowers white, or tinged with rose-color, in sessile spikes or 

 clusters, appearing from July till autumn. 



Habitat. — In wet places ; common. 



Part Used. — The herb — not official. 



Constituents. — A bitter principle which has not been isolated. 



Preparations. — A decoction. 



Medical Properties and, Uses. — Balmony is laxative or purgative, accord- 

 ing to the dose administered. Its therapeutic limitations are, as yet, in- 

 definite. 



VERONICA.— Speedwell. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx 4-parted. Corolla rotate or salverform, 

 4-parted, the lateral lobes or the lower one narrower than the upper. 

 Stamens 2, one each side of the upper lobe of the corolla, exserted. Style 



