most botanists as a luxuriant state of L. purpureum, and that
those who have gathered it and examined its structure have
given the credit to L. amplexicaule of producing such a strong
and vigorous offspring. If however we carefully examine the
three plants, we shall find that it is distinct from both of them.
From L. purpureum it differs by its reniform-wedge-shaped
uppermost leaves; the tube of its corolla with a very faint internal
ring of hairs; and the teeth of the calyx longer than
the tube of that organ: from L. amplexicaule by its uppermost
leaves narrowing to their base so as to appear stalked;
the shorter tube of the corolla; and the teeth of the calyx
much longer, very rigid, and always spreading. In L. incisum,
to which L. intermedium is very nearly allied, the uppermost
leaves are cordate-rhomboidal, stalked, and scarcely wedge-
shaped at the base; each lateral lobe of the lower lip of the
corolla forms a strong prominent tooth; and the middle lobe
is cordate, not transversely quadrate, or oval and emarginate,
as in L. intermedium.
However difficult it may be to distinguish these plants upon
paper, no one can see L. intermedium without being struck by
its very different appearance; and indeed each of the four
plants now mentioned is known at a glance by all who have
been accustomed to see them in their native places.
Our present subject is a weed on cultivated land, and occasionally
grows to a very large size, far larger than either
of its allies. It flowers throughout the summer, but in the
■ warmer and drier climate of the continent it is said not to
be found after midsummer. The drawing was made from
specimens gathered at Edinburgh on the 2nd of August, 1841.
—C. C. B.