142 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
A remarkable state or monstrosity named Peloria (Plate 
DCCCCLXXIL), occasionally occurs with a regular corolla, con- 
tracted at the throat, and with a spreading regular 5-lobed limb, 
within which there is a funnel-shaped opening, and with 5 spurs 
at the base ; more often, however, intermediate states with only 
3 spurs are to be found. The same thing is common in L. purpurea, 
and not unfrequent in L. Elatine and L. spuria. 
Var. 3 is a more luxuriant plant ; the Northfleet specimens 
are 3 or 4 feet high, the largest leaves about 3 inches long and 
nearly 1 inch broad, the bracts larger and foliaceous, the pedicels 
longer, the flowers nearly 1 inch long, the capsules always abortive; 
but in the Isle of Wight plant Dr. Bromfield says they are 
considerably smaller than those of the common form ; tiie inflo- 
rescence bears a striking resemblance to Pteichenbach's figure of 
L. Dalmatica, Miller (a plant with which I am otherwise quite 
unacquainted) ; but that species has the seeds like those of 
L. rcpens and L. purpurea, so that it is quite distinct from 
L. vulgaris. I have not seen specimens of L. speciosa (Ten.), 
which Mr. Bentham refers to L. vulgaris. According to Mr. II. C. 
Watson, the Isle of Wight variety latifolia, under cultivation, 
reverts to the ordinary form of L. vulgaris, so that it is a state 
rather than a variety. 
Yellow Toadflax. 
French, Linalre Commune. German, Gemeiner FrauenJIachs. 
All country children know this little plant as " Butter and eggs," from the yellow 
and orange colour of the flowers. It has some powerful qualities as a purgative and 
diuretic, and an infusion of the leaves was at one time in great reputation among herb 
doctors in dropsy ; but, according to Ilaller and other authorities, it is not to be recom- 
mended in that complaint. As a lotion in skin diseases, an infusion of the leaves has 
been highly esteemed. Gerarde tells us that " a decoction of Todeilax taketh away 
the yellownesse and detormitie of the skinne, being washed and bathed therewith." 
HYBRID. 
LINARIA VULGARI-REPENS. 
Plate DCCCCLXV. 
L. Sepium, Allm. in Proceedings of Royal Irish Academy. 
Intermediate between L. vulgaris and L. rcpens, differing from 
L. rcpens in the flowers being larger, often more or less suffused 
with yellow, especially on the under lip, and the spur longer and 
more acute ; the seeds (which I have not seen) are described 
as having a border or 3 prominent smooth wings. From L. vul- 
garis it differs in the much smaller flowers more or less striated 
