428 DICTIONARY 01^ POPULAR NAMES VERATRINE 



evidently for the purpose of entrapping flies and other insects, 

 of which the Pitcher Plant, Side-saddle Plower, Darlingtonia, 

 and Sundews, are well-known examples. In these plants 

 it has been proved that the decomposed matter of the insects 

 enters the tissues of the plants for the supposed purpose 

 of nutrition. In Swallowworts, Birthworts, Orchids, and 

 others, the insects are entrapped for the purpose of assisting the 

 fertilisation. Many plants having viscid leaves are also fly- 

 catchers, and are often thickly covered with flies ; but for what 

 purpose is not very evident (see Pitcher Plants, etc.) 



Veratrine. (See Sabadilla ) 



Vermicelli. (See Wheat and Macaroni.) 



Vervain ( Verbena officinalis), a weedy plant of the Verbena 

 family (Yerbenacese), native of this country, growing abundantly 

 by roadsides and in waste places. In the time of the Druids 

 it was held in high repute, and was worn as a charm against 

 evil, and for good luck ; but the advance of knowledge makes 

 the history of Vervain, like many other things, only curious as 

 legends. Verbenas have become favourite plants for ornamental 

 flower-beds, a great number of varieties having come into notice 

 of late years, which first originated from tlie scarlet-flowered 

 species, F". Melindres, a native of South Brazil. The Lemon- 

 scented Verbena, known either as F". tripliylla or Aloysia citriO" 

 dora, is a stiff- branching shrub, with whorls of three leaves, 

 native of Chili, and was introduced into this country about the 

 end of the last century. It is hardy in many parts, and on 

 account of its fragrance is often to be seen growing against 

 cottages. 



Vetch. (See Tare.) 



Victoria Lily ( Victoria regia), a plant of the Water-lily 

 family (ITymph^eace^). This remarkable plant was first dis- 

 covered by a German botanist in 1801, and afterwards seen by 

 several others in different parts of tropical America. It was 

 not, however, brought into special notice till found by Sir E. 

 Schomburgk in British Guiana in 1837, and introduced into 

 the Eoyal Gardens, Kew, 18i7. On account of its remarkable 



