V. scutellata. L. Marsh Speedwell. Grows about wet
plapes.
V. anagallis. L. Water Speedwell. Flowers purple ; in
brooks.
V. agrestis, L ., and V. arvensis, L. Small weeds about gardens
; introduced, as probably the two preceding were ; to which,
V. peregrina, L ., of no more account, may be added.
V. beccabunga. L. Brookline, from the German name of
the plant (bach, brook, and bunge, bunch), put into a Latin form ;
seems indigenous ; a rather handsome plant, about sluggish waters,
with beautiful blue flowers, and rather fleshy, mucilaginous stem
and leaves, and used sometimes for medicinal purposes.
Several beautiful species have been introduced, and are cultivated
in the larger flower-gardens.
L eptandra. Nutt. 2. 1.
Taken from the preceding genus by Mr. .Nuttall ; only one
species certainly known. The capsule is ovate and acuminate,
not obcordate, as in the other ; named from its long and slender
stamens.
L . Virginica. Nutt. Culver’s Physic. Culver Root. Grows
in alluvial meadows ; stem 2 - 4 feet high, erect, 4 or 5-sided,
with whorled, lanceolate leaves, and a long, dense spike of white
flowers ; July. Root bitter and offensive ; its cathartic power
I have many times tested. A handsome plant, easily cultivated.
ScHWALBEA. L. 1 3 . 2 .
jS. Americana. Willd. A simple, pubescent plant, with
lanceolate leaves, and terminal raceme of alternate flowers ; has
been found, by Dr, Greene, at Plymouth. Big.
ORDER 212. RHINANTHACEiE. T he R attle T r ib e .
Corolla monopetalous, personate, with a divided and leafy
calyx, inferior, and the 4 stamens inserted in the side of the
corolla, 2 of them shorter than the other pair ; ovary superior,
2-celled, 2-seeded ; style one ; flowers axillary, and leaves
opposite.
Grow in the temperate parts of both continents ; not a very
large assemblage of plants ; properties not of much interest.
R hinanthus. L . 13. 2.
From the Greek for nose and flower, as its compressed corolla
resembles remotely the snout of an animal. Few known species.
R. crista-galli. L . Yellow Rattle. The only species in
this country, rare ; a foot high, branching, smooth ; opposite, cordate,
rough leaves ; calyx large, inflated; corolla yellow, much
longer than the calyx ; meadows ; Plymouth ; July. Big.
B artsia. L. 13. 2.
Named by Linnaeus, after his friend Dr. Bartsch; a singular
genus of plants, “ of difficult cultivation ” ; several species in this
country and in Europe.
B . coccinea. L. Painted Cup, about a foot high, with alternate
leaves, and a cluster of flowers at the summit, which have
bright-scarlet floral leaves or bracts, generally 3-cleft, which give-
much beauty to the flowers ; borders of woods ; June.
This seems to be very properly separated by Mr. Nuttall, to-
form the genus E uchroma.
M elampvrum. L. 13. 2. Cow Wheat.
From the Greek, for black and wheat, because its seed, which:
resembles wheat, gives a black color to bread. Only a few species
in Europe, and 2 in the United States.
M. Americanum. Mx. Grows in open woods in light soil,,