After all, in spite of opinion, prejudice, or error, Time will fix the real value upon this discovery, and determine whether I have imposed upon myself and others, or contributed to the benefit of science and mankind.
Birmingham, 1st July,
1785.
INTRODUCTION.
The Foxglove is a plant sufficiently common in this island, and as we have but one species, and that so generally known, I should have thought it superfluous either to figure or describe it; had I not more than once seen the leaves of Mullein[1] gathered for those of Foxglove. On the continent of Europe too, other species are found, and I have been informed that our species is very rare in some parts of Germany, existing only by means of cultivation, in gardens.
Our plant is the Digitalis purpurea[2] of Linnæus. It belongs to the 2d order of the 14th class, or the Didynamia Angiospermia. The essential characters of the genus are, Cup with 5 divisions. Blossom bell-shaped, bulging. Capsule egg-shaped, 2-celled.—Linn.
DIGITA'LIS purpu'rea. Little leaves of the empalement egg-shaped, sharp. Blossoms blunt; the upper lip entire. Linn.
References to Figures. These are disposed in the order of comparative excellence.
- Rivini monopet. 104.
- Flora danica, 74, parts of fructification.
- Tournefort Institutiones. 73, A, E, L, M.
- Fuchsii Hist. Plant. 893, copied in
- Tragi stirp. histor. 889.
- J. Bauhini histor. Vol. ii. 812. 3, and
- Lonicera 74, 1.
- Blackwell. auct. 16.
- Dodonœi pempt. stirp. hist. 169, reprinted in
- Gerard emacul. 790, 1, and copied in
- Parkinson Theatr. botanic. 653, 1.
- Gerard, first edition, 646, 1.
- Histor. Oxon. Morison. V. 8, row 1. 1.
- Flor. danic. 74, the reduced figure.