scnonirLARiACK.E. Ill 
branches from the axils of the upper leaves. Radical leaves 6 to 
15 inches long;, in a rosette, narrowed at the base into short stalks; 
stem-leaves all (except the lowest) strongly decurrent, the wing 
usually reaching from one leaf to the next, diminishing rapidly 
in size upwards, the uppermost ones passing insensibly into the 
bracts of the inflorescence, of which the lower ones are much 
longer than the calyces, the upper ones only slightly exceeding 
them. Spike 4 inches to 1 foot long, very thick and dense, with 
the flowers crowded, nearly sessile. Calyx-segments triangular, 
acuminated, very densely clothed with felted stellate hairs. 
Corolla ^ to 1 inch across ; limb concave, divided into obovate seg- 
ments about halfway down, and clothed with stellate hairs on the 
outside. Capsule about the size of a large pea, roundish, ovate-ovoid, 
thickly clothed with stellate down, splitting into 2 valves, each of 
which has a slight fissure at the apex. Seeds all conical, with very 
prominent undulated longitudinal ribs. "Whole plant appearing 
whitcish or grey, from the abundance of the felted pubescence. 
Great Mullein. 
French, Molene Bouillon Blanc. German, Eleinblumiges Wollkraut. 
The etymology of the common name of this plant is somewhat curious, as 
given by Dr. Prior. He tells us that the Mullein was known as the higtaper, am] 
that the French woi'd moleine means the scab in cattle, and that the term inalandre 
was applied to all sorts of diseases in cattle, — to lung diseases among the rest. The 
higtaper, being used for these, accpiired its name of Mullein and Bullock's Wort. The 
Mullein was formerly valued in medicine on account ot its emollient properties. A 
decoction of the leaves was recommended by the physicians of the last century for 
diarrhoeas. Sir James Smith says " that a pint of cow's milk, with a handful of the 
Lives of this Mullein boiled in it to halt a pint, sweetened, strained, and taken at 
bedtime, is a pleasant, emollient, and nutritious medicine for allaying a cough, or 
removing pain and irritation." In more ancient times much higher virtues were 
attributed to this plant. Culpepper gives us a list of most extraordinary cures 
performed by its agency, and Gerarde remarks, that " there be some who think that 
this herbe being but carryed aboute one, doth help the falling sickness, especially the 
leaves of that plant, which hath not as yet borne flowers, and gathered when the sun 
is in Virgo and the moon in Aries, which thing, notwithstanding, is vaine and 
superstitious." The Mullein is sometimes known as the Torch-blade or King's Taper, 
which doubtless have the same meaning as the older name of Higtaper. Parkinson 
tells us that " Verbascum is called of the Latins Candela regia and Candelaria, 
because the elder age used the stalkes dipped in such to burne, whether at funeralls or 
otherwise." The word hig may mean high ; so that it is sometimes called "High Taper" 
either from its candle-like appearance when growing by itself, pointing straigktly 
upwards with its flame-like crown of flowers, or from the facts before mentioned as to 
its use. The woolly covering of the leaves and stem was used for lamp wicks long 
before the introduction of cotton and lamps, and candles provided with wicks of this 
kind were supposed to be used by witches in their incantations; hence another name 
is recorded, — that of " Hag Taper" The specific name of Thapsus has been derived 
