BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
193 
GENUS II. 
THE LOBELIA. (Lobelia, Lin.) 
Lin.Syst. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character.— Calyx five-toothed. Corolla two-lipped. Stigma blunt, usually two-lobed. Capsule two or three-celled.— 
Flowers axillary, or in terminal spikes. ( Lindley .) 
Description, 8tc.—The ornamental exotic species of Lobelia that are common in our gardens are so very 
much more beautiful than the British kinds, that it is almost difficult to believe that they belong to the same 
genus. The British kinds are only two in number. The name of Lobelia is derived from L’ Obel, who was a 
celebrated Flemish botanist in the time of James I., and who was appointed botanist and herbalist to that 
monarch. 
1. —THE WATER LOBELIA. (Lobelia Dortmanna, Lin.) 
Engravings —Eng. But., t. 140 ; 2nd ed., t. 307 ; and our fig. 6, in PI. 41. 
Specific Character. —Leaves linear, entire, of two longitudinal cells. Stem nearly naked. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This is a perennial plant, which grows in great abundance in the lakes of Cumberland 
and Westmoreland ; only the flowers, which are of a pale lilac, appearing above the surface of the water, though 
the bottom of the lake appears covered with a thick carpet of leaves. The flowers droop ; but the seed, as it 
ripens, becomes erect. The whole plant abounds in a milky juice. The flowers appear in July. 
THE BITING LOBELIA. (L. urens, Lin.) 
This species is only found in Devonshire, where it grows on the moors or waste lands, in situations slightly 
shaded by some kind of shrub. The whole plant abounds in milk, which is extremely acrid and has a most 
disagreeable smell. It is a perennial, and flowers in August and September. 
CHAPTER XLVI. 
THE VALERIAN FAMILY. (Valerianea:, Dec.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx superior; the limb either mem¬ 
branous or resembliug pappus. Corolla monopetalous, tubular, inserted 
into the top of the ovary, with from three to five lobes, either regular 
or irregular ; sometimes calcarate at the base. Stamens from one to 
five, inserted into the tube of the corolla, and alternate with its lobes. 
Ovarium inferior, with one cell, and sometimes two other abortive 
ones; ovulum solitary, pendulous ; style simple ; stigmas from one to 
three. Fruit dry, indehiscent, with one fertile cell, and two empty 
ones. Seed solitary, pendulous ; embryo straight, destitute of albumen ; 
radicle superior.—Herbs. Leaves opposite, without stipulee. Flowers 
corymbose, panicled, or in heads. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c.— The British plants contained in this order, though they are now divided into three 
genera, were all included by Linnseus in the genus Valeriana; but they have been very properly divided, as 
they differ materially. 
GENUS I. 
THE VALERIANELLA. ( Valerianella, Tourn .) 
Lin. Syst. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Corolla regular, five-lobed, without a spur. Stamens three. Fruit membranous, with 3 cells, crowned with the 
erect, not involute limb of the calyx. (Dec.) 
Description, &c.— This genus was separated from Valeriana on account of the fruit being three-celled, and 
