It is doubted,, both by Wahlenberg and Marschal v. 

 Bieberstein, whether this plant is not a mere variety of 

 Veronica spicata. We cannot but think, however, that it 

 is decidedly distinct, not only from the slender tortuous 

 laciniae and the greater length of the bractes, but espe- 

 cially from the extreme shortness of the stamens; the anthers 

 but just emerging from the faux of the corolla and lying close 

 together at the base of the upper and broader laciniae; which, 

 occasioning a sort of resemblance to the flower of an orchis, 

 gave rise as we suppose, to the specific name. It must be 

 observed, however, that according to the last-mentioned 

 author, these characters are not constant. 



We believe that no figure was (before) extant of this plant, 

 and that it is quite new in this country, being raised by Mr. 

 Kent, of Clapton, from seeds received by him from Dr. 

 Fischer, of Gorenki, in 1819. 



A hardy perennial, native of Caucasus, and of the Carpa- 

 thian mountains, growing in warm and dry situations. Com- 

 municated by Mr. Kent, in July 1820. 



