] LVII. LABIATiE. 357 



narrow-leaved form with the leaves sometimes entire, closer whorls 

 of flowers, and a longer corolla-tube. 



2. G. ochroleuca, Lam. (fig. 806). Downy G. — Very much like 

 G. Ladanum, but more densely covered with soft almost silky hairs, 

 which give the upper part a whitish hue, and the flowers are very 

 numerous, considerably larger, often above an inch long, and of a pure 

 yellow colour. G. dubia, Leers. 



In cultivated and waste places, in temperate Europe, from Spain to 

 Scandinavia, and eastward to south Kussia. Confined to the central 

 and northern counties of England and north Wales. Fl. summer and 

 autumn. It is very doubtful whether it be more than a variety of 

 G. Ladanum, and it is even said that the one has been raised from the 

 seeds of the other. 



3. G. Tetrahit, Linn. (fig. 807). C. Hemp-nettle. — A coarse annual, 

 1 to 2 feet high or even more, although sometimes very dwarf, with 

 a few spreading branches, green, with stiff, spreading hairs, and the 

 stems swollen under the nodes. Leaves stalked, ovate, very pointed, 

 and coarsely toothed. Flowers numerous, in close whorls in the axils 

 of the upper leaves. Calyx-teeth long and almost prickly. Corolla, 

 in the common variety, pale-purplish or white, exceedingly variable in 

 size, sometimes not longer than the calycine teeth, more frequently 

 twice that length, and sometimes much longer. 



In cultivated and waste places, and occasionally also in woods, 

 extending all over Europe and Eussian Asia. Frequent in Britain. 

 Fl. summer and autumn. G. versicolor, Curtis (speciosa, Miller), is a 

 marked variety, often considered as a distinct species. It is usually a 

 larger plant, with larger yellow flowers with a purple spot on the 

 lower lip ; but, as in the purple variety, the size of the flower is 

 very variable, and in some localities it passes into G. Tetrahit, 



XIV. BALLOTA. BALLOTA. 



This genus, closely allied to the shorter-flowered Stachyses, differs 

 chiefly in the calyx, which is enlarged at the top, so as to be nearly 

 funnel-shaped, and in several exotic species has 10 or even more teeth. 

 The corolla, stamens, and nuts are nearly as in Stachys. 



The exotic species belong almost exclusively to the Mediterranean 

 region and western Asia. 



1. B. nigra, Linn. (fig. 808). Black H. — A coarse, erect, hairy, 

 branching perennial, 2 to 3 feet high, softly hairy all over, with "a 

 strong, disagreeable smell. Leaves stalked, ovate or cordate, coarsely 

 toothed. Flowers in dense axillary clusters, often slightly stalked, 

 and turned to one side, assuming less the appearance of whorls than 

 in Stachys, usually shorter than the floral leaves, and accompanied by a 

 number of stiff, linear bracts. Calyx 4 or 5 lines long, green or purplish, 

 with 10 prominent ribs, and 5 broadly ovate teeth, each terminating in 

 a fine stiff point. Corolla purplish, with an oblong or oval, concave 

 and somewhat arched upper lip, scarcely shorter than the 3-lobed, 

 spreading lower lip. B. ruderalis, Sm. 



On roadsides, under hedges, and in waste places, throughout Europe 

 and Eussian Asia. In Britain it extends over England, Ireland, and 



