BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
259 
THE YELLOW COW-WHEAT. (M. pratense, Lin.) 
This species is only found in woods and thickets, notwithstanding its specific name, which signifies meadow. 
It is much less ornamental than the other kinds, as its bractese are small and not conspicuous. Its flowers are of 
a pale yellow, and they are produced from June till August. 
THE SMALL-FLOWERED COW-WHEAT. (M. sylvaticum, Lin.) 
This species is very rare, and many botanists suppose it to be only a variety of the last. It is only found in 
alpine woods in the north of England and in Scotland. 
CHAPTER LXVI. 
THE VERVAIN FAMILY. (Verbenacea:, Juss.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx tubular, persistent, inferior. 
Corolla hypogynous, monopctalous, tubular, deciduous, generally with 
an irregular limb. Stamens usually four, didynamous, seldom equal, 
occasionally two. Ovarium two- or four-celled ; ovules erect, solitary 
or twin ; style one ; stigma bifid or undivided. Fruit drupaceous, or 
baccate. Seeds erect; albumen none, or in very small quantity ; em¬ 
bryo erect_Trees or shrubs, sometimes herbaceous plants. Leaves 
generally opposite, simple or compound, without stipulaj. Flowers in 
opposite corymbs, or spiked alternately ; sometimes in dense heads ; 
very seldom axillary and solitary. ( R. Br.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one British genus in this order. 
GENUS I. 
THE VERVAIN. (Verbena, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx five-cleft. Corolla with a somewhat two-lipped, five-lobed, unequal limb. Stamens four, didynamous. Seeds 
inclosed in a vascular tissue. (Dec.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one British species in this genus. The name of Verbena is derived from 
two Celtic words, signifying to drive away the stone, from the plant being formerly supposed to be efficacious in 
curing that disorder. The genus is generally placed in the Linnseau class and order Didynamia Angiospermia 
from there being four stamens of unequal length, and the seeds being not inclosed in a capsule ; but some botanists 
place the genus in the Linnsean class and order Diandria Monogynia, because there are sometimes only two 
stamens, and there is never more than one style. 
1. —THE COMMON VERVAIN. (Verbena officinalis, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 767 ; 2nd ed., t. 883 ; and our fig. 5, in PI. 49. 
Specific Character. —Stamens four. Spikes slender, pointed. Leaves deeply cut. Stem mostly solitary. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —A very common plant growing by the roadside in waste places in almost every part of 
England, but rare in Ireland and Scotland. The flowers are small, and so totally devoid of beauty, as to render 
it difficult to suppose they can belong to the same genus as the splendid Verbenas of our gardens. The British 
Vervain was, however, formerly highly valued both for its power against witches and its efficacy in medicine; 
and the root of it, suspended by a ribbon round the neck, was said to be a cure in all scrofulous diseases. The 
plant is a perennial, and its flowers appear in July. 
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