Of the Labiates perhaps the one most partial to the chalk is the Wild Sage or Clary (_Salvia Verbenaca_); and even this is not confined to calcareous soils, but thrives in dry pastures in many parts of the country, particularly near the sea. It is an aromatic herb, from one to two feet in height, with long spikes of bluish purple flowers that bloom from May to September. The leaves, which are not numerous, are oblong-cordate (the upper ones broadly cordate), blunt, coarsely toothed, and wrinkled. Other Labiates are very similar to this species, but the Clary may be distinguished by its two ovate, cordate bracts at the base of each flower, and by its narrow corolla, which is a little shorter than the calyx. The Red Hemp-nettle (_Galeopsis Ladanum_), of the same order, is common in chalky fields. It is about a foot in height, and displays its _rose-coloured_ flowers from July to October. The plant is covered with very soft hairs, and the stem is not swollen at the joints. These two features serve to distinguish the species from the Common Hemp-nettle (_G. tetrahit_) and the Large-flowered Hemp-nettle (_G. versicolor_) of the same genus. It should also be noted that the corolla is not really red, as the common name suggests, but rose-coloured, while in _G. tetrahit_ it is purple or white, and in _G. versicolor_ it is yellow. The upper lip of the flower, too, is only slightly notched. The Viper's Bugloss (_Echium vulgare_--order _Boraginaceæ_) is common on dry soils, especially in calcareous districts, where it is often found close to the sea, even on the beach very near high-water level. It is a very peculiar plant, both stem and leaves being thickly covered with stiff, sharp bristles. The stem is unbranched, from two to three feet high; and the leaves are lanceolate. The flowers are of a bright rose-colour when they first open, and afterwards change to a bright purple-blue; they are arranged in short, lateral, curved, one-sided spikes. Both leaves and flowers droop very rapidly after they have been gathered. This plant flowers from June to August. Another species of the same genus, known as the Purple Viper's Bugloss (_E. Plantagineum_), is common in the Channel Islands. It may be distinguished by its branched stem and longer spikes of flowers. The lower leaves, too, are oblong and stalked, while the upper ones are cordate and half clasp the stem.