230 TETRANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Plantago. 
{Hook. FI Bond. 168—j E. Sot. 468. E.)— FI. Ban. 170— Pluk. 35. 2— H. 
Ox, viii. 9. 30— Gisek. 21— Dill. Muse. 81; but the substances on the 
leaves marked {a. a.) are thought to be Polypes. 
Fertile Jlowers two, sometimes three, at the base of the stalk of the barren 
flower. {Flower somewhat resembling that of Plantago. Plant growing 
in thick tufts. E.) Leaves rush-like, flatfish, convex underneath, (all 
radical, one to two inches high, sometimes rough with hairs. FI. Brit. E.) 
Barren flower terminal. Relh. (This plant is truly amphibious, grow¬ 
ing in most of the lakes of North Wales several feet under Water, but 
it never flowers except when on shore, or in water about one inch 
in depth. Griffith. It is frequent near the margins of many of our High¬ 
land lakes, but being generally immersed, seldom flowers. The elongated 
stamens, which, from their slender make, hang down, and the style 
which shooting upwards meets them half way, afford a beautiful illus¬ 
tration of the Linnsean doctrine. Br. E.) 
Plantain Shoreweed. (Welsh: Beisdonell merllyn. E.) Marshy 
places in a sandy soil, (and very abundant by the margins of alpine lakes, 
in such situations forming a green carpet, as on the shores of Loch 
Lomond. Hook. E.) At Hainford. Mr. Crowe. On the margins of Oulton 
Broad by Lowestoft, plentifully; and on the bank at the south end of 
Bala Lake, Merioneth. Mr. Woodward. In a watery lane near Penzance, 
by Mr. Wenman. Mr. Stackhouse. (Crosby Marsh, near Liverpool. 
Dr. Bostock. At Prestwick Carr, Northumberland. By Derwent-water. 
Mr. Winch. Coleshill pool, Warwickshire. Purton. E.) P. July—Aug. 
PLANTA'GO. # Bloss. four-cleft, permanent, border reflexed : 
Cal. four-cleft: Siam, extremely long : Caps, two-celled, 
cut round, superior. 
P. MA f JOR. Leaves egg-shaped, smooth : flower stalk cylindrical : spike 
imbricated with florets, tapering : (seeds numerous. E.) 
Curt .— FI. Dan. 461— {E. Bot. 1558. E.)— Blackw. 35— Woodv. 14— 
Matth. 479— Dod. 107. 1— Lob. Obs. 162. 2— Park. 493. 2 1— H. Ox. 
viii. 15. 2— Pet. ii. 4. 1— Trag. 225. 1— Fuchs. 38— J.B. iii. 502— Get. 
338. 
Stalk from nine to eighteen inches high, the flowering spike about equal in 
length to the naked part; rather rough with short hairs. Leaves with 
seven or nine ribs, (numerous, broad, all radical, on channelled stalks 
as long as themselves, margins wavy, or variously toothed. Flowers 
small, whitish. Anthers pinky. E.) 
Way-bread. Greater Plantain. (Welsh: Llyriadmwyaf ; Henllydan 
yffordd. Gaelic : Gcuah Phadruic. E.) Road sides, very common. 
P. June—Aug.f 
* (From the flatted appearance and form of its leaves, somewhat resembling the sole of 
the foot. E.) 
t Sheep, goats, and swine eat it. Cows and horses refuse it. (If the temperate ass, 
who is contented with the most ordinary weeds, and makes his humble repast on what 
the horse and other animals refuse, has a preference for any vegetable, it is for the Plan¬ 
tain ; for which he is often seen to neglect every other herb in the pasture. The green 
leaves are astringent and frequently applied to cuts. Plantain leaves bruised and rubbed 
on the part affected will effectually reduce the swelling, pain, and inflammation occasioned 
by the bite or sting of insects. The Highlanders, according to Mr. Lightfoot, ascribe 
great virtues to this plant in healing wounds ther by the fresh leaves or an ointment 
