154 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



with bright scarlet flowers, which close on the approach of foul 

 weather, and do not expand in a damp atmosphere. For this 

 reason, the common name in England, where it is indigenous, is 

 the Poor Man's Weatherglass. 



Hottonia. L. 5. 1. 



H. inflata. L. Water-feather. Named after Professor Hot- 

 ton, of Leyden ; a singular genus ; aquatic, whorled, and much 

 divided in its leaves, which grow near the surface ; flower-stalks 

 arranged like an umbel ; swollen greatly between joints, and hollow 

 within ; a contrivance probably to sustain the flowers, and expose 

 them to the air and sun. Near Boston and New Bedford. 



Samolus. L. 5. 1. 

 S. Valerandi. L. Water Pimpernel. Named from its sup- 

 posed efficacy in curing all diseases of swine, from words which 

 mean salutary to pigs. Grows beside ditches or brooks, in the 

 vicinity of Boston, with small white flowers and stem a foot high ; 

 native of Britain. 



Glaux. L. 5. 1. 



G. maritima. L. Black Saltw T ort. From the Greek for 

 glaucous, and its loving the sea, about salt marshes ; stem 4 or 5 

 inches high, very leafy ; leaves opposite, roundish, smooth, fleshy ; 

 minute, reddish-white flowers ; no corolla, and a bell-form calyx. 



Lysimachia. L. 5. 1. Loosestrife. 



The English name is a translation of the Greek original, an- 

 ciently supposed to quiet restive oxen ; or after king Lysimachus 

 of Sicily. Loudon. The species are natives chiefly of Europe 

 and North America. In the latter, about a dozen species have 

 been found ; 5 are credited to this State, and are widely diffused. 



L. capitata. Ph. Inhabits swamps ; flowers capitate. 



L. racemosa. Link. Has a long terminal raceme, and stem 

 erect and smooth ; in low grounds. 



