Bugloss n. (pl. buglosses) (Bot.) A plant of the genus Anchusa, and especially the Anchusa officinalis, sometimes called alkanet; oxtongue. Small wild bugloss, the Asperugo procumbens and the Lycopsis arvensis.
Viper's bugloss, a species of Echium.
viper n. 1.(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidae. "There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand." Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder (Pelias berus), the European asp (Vipera aspis), the African horned viper (Vipera cerastes), and the Indian viper (Daboia Russellii).
2.A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person. "Who committed To such a viper his most sacred trust Of secrecy."
3.Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.
Horned viper. (Zool.) See Cerastes. Red viper (Zool.), the copperhead.
Viper fish (Zool.), a small, slender, phosphorescent deep-sea fish (Chauliodus Sloanii). It has long ventral and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp teeth.
Viper's bugloss (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb (Echium vulgare) having showy purplish blue flowers. It is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called blue weed.
Viper's grass (Bot.), a perennial composite herb (Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white, carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some other countries. Called also viper grass.
...
