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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



ancient times dipped in grease, and used as a substitute for 

 candles and lamp-Avicks. In this country it is called High or 

 Hag taper, on account of the sujDerstition that it was used by 

 witches of old. In Scotland it is known by the name of 

 Shepherd's club. 



The Butter, or Bladderwort Family. 



(LeNTIBUL ARIACE^. ) 



Eosette-leaved herbs or entangled branching floating plants, 

 the leaves of the latter generally divided and root-like, bear- 

 ing small air bladders (rarely peltate). Flowers in the 

 former rising from the centre, and in the latter in panicles 

 rising above the water. Calyx persistent. Corolla irre- 

 gular, 2-lipped, the base generally with a spur, or nectary 

 cyst. Stamens 2. Fruit a ] -celled capsule with many seeds. 



This family consists of 100 or more species. They are 

 found in temperate regions, but most abundantly in the tropics, 

 and are chiefly represented by the floating genus Utricularia^ 

 of which there are two species natives of this country, 

 U. vulgaris and U. mino?-, known by the name of Bladder- 

 worts. They have pretty yellow flowers. Another interest- 

 ing native species is the " Butterwort," a small rosette-leaved 

 plant with pretty purple flowers, growing in moist places. It 

 possesses the curious property of coagulating milk when 

 poured over the leaves. 



Utricularia nelumhcefolia. A native of Brazil. A plant 

 Avith round peltate leaves resembling pennywort. Although 

 a water plant, its habitation is on trees, being found only in 

 the water contained in Tillandsia ; the Utricularia^ dipping 

 its running stem into one where it fixes itself, passes on to 

 the next, thus connecting the Tillandsias together. 



The Broomrape Family. 



(Oroba nchace^.) 



Parasitical herbs growing on the roots of furze, broom, 

 clover, flax, &c. They consist of a simple leafless, fleshy 



