SCROPIIULAUIACE/E. 115 
Stem 18 inches to 3 i'ect high, with elevated lines deeurrent from 
the midrib of the petiole, and fainter ones from its margins. Lower 
Leaves 4 inches to 1 foot long, abruptly contracted and usually sub- 
eordateat the base, with petioles often as long as the lamina; stem- 
leaves decreasing rapidly in size upwards; the upper ones small and 
sessile, passing gradually into the small acuminated bracts at the 
base of the fascicles of flowers. Spike usually very long, slightly 
interrupted at the base, dense towards the apex. Calyx-segments 
strapshaped. Flowers \ to f inch across, varying from bright- 
yellow to cream-yellow, the filaments erect, clothed with bright- 
purple hairs. Capsule nearly J inch long, ovoid, scarcely tapering 
towards the apex. Plant varying much in the degree of pubescence, 
which is rarely sufficient to produce a greyish colour. 
A remarkable variety, tomentosnm (Bab.), has been found by 
Professor Babington at St. Ann's, Alderney, and by the Rev. W. "W. 
Newbould at Chichester ; in these the leaves are quite felted beneath, 
as much so as in V. Thapsus, the flowers are also rather smaller than 
in the ordinary form. 
Dark Mullein. 
French, Jloleae Xoire. German, Schwarzes Wollkraut. 
SPECIES V — V ERBASCUM VIRGATUM. With. 
Plate DCCCCXLI. 
Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XX. Tab. MDCLV. 
V. blattarioides, Lam. Reich. JU. 1. c. p. 14. 
Stem erect, simple, or more rarely branched. Radical leaves 
oblanceolate, insensibly attenuated into winged petioles, sub- 
obtuse ; lower stem-leaves attenuated at the base, and sub- 
petiolate; intermediate ones oblong, acute, sessile and serni-amplex- 
icaul ; uppermost ones ovate or lanceolate, cordate, semi-amplex- 
icaul and very shortly deeurrent acuminate ; all crenate or 
dentate or doubly dentate ; the lowest ones sometimes slightly 
pinnatifid towards the base. Plowers shortly stalked, in fascicles or 
solitary, arranged in a rather dense somewhat interrupted raceme 
at the extremity of the stem and also of the branches when the 
latter are present. Pedicels ascending-erect, not exceeding the calyx 
at the time of flowering, nor the capsule in fruit. Limb of the 
corolla flat, six or seven times as long as the tube. Stamens with 
all the filaments clothed with purple woolly hairs ; the 3 upper 
ones with reniform transverse anthers ; the 2 lower ones with 
fewer hairs and with oblong-reniform anthers attached obliquely. 
Stigma capitate. Capsule large, sub-globular, half as long again 
