THE ACANTHUS FAMILY. 



283 



stem, from 6 inches to 2 feet or more in length, of a pale 

 brown, red, or even blue colour, furnished with bract-like 

 scales, terminating with a spike of labiate flowers ; rarely one- 

 flowered, of the same colour as the stem, and difEering little 

 in character from the preceding family. Above 100 species 

 are described, but on account of their diflerent appearances, 

 caused by the plants on which they grow, probably not more 

 than one-half that number are distinct. They are widely 

 distributed in Western Asia and North America, are also found 

 in South Africa, and a few in India. Seven are natives of 

 this country, of which Orohanche major is the largest species, 

 growing on the roots of broom and furze, attaining the height 

 of 2 feet. 0. minor grows on clover and flax, sometimes to 

 the injury of the crops. 0. ramosa differs from the rest in 

 being branched ; it is widely dispersed, being found at the Cape 

 of Good Hope, in Abyssinia, Europe, and Siberia. They pos- 

 sess astringent qualities, and have some medicinal reputation. 



Toothwort {LaihrcBa Squamaria). A native of this coun- 

 try, growing abundantly in open parts of woods. It has 

 pale-coloured stems, almost white, about 6 inches in height. 

 On account of the shape of the flower being like teeth, it was 

 in ancient times supposed to be a cure for toothache, but 

 such was mere fancy. In their general habit and manner of 

 growth they resemble the Cistus-rape family, but their com- 

 plete flowers distinguish them from it. 



The Acanthus Family. 



(ACANTHACEiE.) 



Shrubs, fruticuls, some climbers or perennial gemmsecorm 

 herbs ; some spiny, generally with square stems having 

 swellings below the leaves, which are opposite, simple, entire, 

 or variously lobed, or deeply slashed and spiny. Flowers 

 axillary, or more generally in terminal spikes, racemes, or 

 panicles, sometimes pendulous, often furnished with leafy- 

 bracts. Fruit a 2-celled, 2-valved, round or compressed 

 capsule, bursting with elastic force. 



