By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



81 



SCROPHULARIA, (LlNN.) FiGWORT. 



Linn. CI. xiv. Ord. ii. 



Name. From scrofula, (Latin) the plant having been used as a 

 remedy for the disease so called. The English name Figwort refers 

 to its use as a remedy for the disease called ficus ; thus also, ficaria. 



1. S. nodosa, (Linn.) knotty-rooted Figwort. Engl. Bot. 1. 1544, 

 St. 23, 14. 



Locality. Moist woods, and shady places. P. Fl. June, August. 

 Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Frequently distributed in the county. Root tuberous, thick, knotty. 

 Stem 2 or 2 feet high, sharply 4-angled, smooth and glossy, often 

 of a reddish brown colour, the angles sometimes edged with a 

 membranous line, but not winged. Flowers small, a little drooping. 

 Corolla greenish purple lurid, sometimes milk-white. Staminode 

 transversely oblong, slightly emarginate. 



2. S. aquatica, (Linn.) water figwort, water-betony. Engl. Bot. 

 t. 1544. S. Balbisii Koch. 



Locality. Banks of the Avon, Canal, along ditches, and sides 

 of streams. P. Fl. July, August. Area 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Not unfrequent in Wilts. Very variable in size, but it is gener- 

 ally taller and rather less branched than the S. nodosa, which it 

 much resembles in habit and in flowers. The angles of the stem 

 project into narrow wings, and the leaves are not so broad, and 

 more obtuse. Panicle long and narrow. Flowers of a dark purple. 

 Staminode roundish, uniform, entire. 



Melampyrum, (Linn.) Cow-wheat. 

 Linn. CI. xiv. Ord. ii. 



Name. From the Greek (melampuron) compounded of (melas), 

 black, and fpyrosj wheat. Its seeds resemble wheat, and they are 

 said, when mixed with flour, to make the bread black. 



1. M. pratense, (Linn.) meadow or common yellow Cow-wheat. 

 Pratensis, meadow, seems to be an ill-chosen name for this species, 

 which more commonly inhabits woods and thickets, rarely meadows. 

 Engl. Bot. t. 113. 



VOL. XI. — NO. XXXIV. H 



