1885-86.] EdinbiirgJi Naturalists' Field Club. 301 



the identification of the whole family. Other marks of our British 

 species are, that their blossoms are arranged either in axillary or 

 terminal racemes, which are usually blue, but occasionally white, 

 or some shade of lilac. The transition of leaves into bracts is also 

 very abrupt, these latter becoming large and leaf-like. In treating 

 of Veronicas, their duration as annuals or perennials furnishes a 

 simple and natural mode of grouping, and other points can be 

 noted as we proceed. Twelve species have been admitted into the 

 Edinburgh Flora, but of these one at least has probably been 

 introduced. Of these twelve species, seven are perennials and five 

 annuals. Taking the perennials first, we find that all of them 

 have stoutish, more or less upright stems ; and all but one (V. ser- 

 pyllifolia) have spikes or racemes of flowers proceeding from the 

 axils of the leaves. V. Beccabunga grows in streams or ditches, 

 and is a very handsome species, with a thick smooth stem and 

 opposite bright-green leaves, which are sometimes eaten as a salad. 

 The flowering period extends from May to August, and the little 

 bright-blue flowers are sometimes called Forget-me-nots. Another 

 Veronica frequenting the borders of ditches and watery places is 

 V. Anagallis, or the Water Speedwell, which may be easily recog- 

 nised by its tall, thick, holloio stem, and its smooth, stalkless, and 

 lance-shaped leaves, which clasp the stem. As its common name 

 implies, this Speedwell prefers damp situations, though not absol- 

 utely requiring such a locality, for I have found it by the margin 

 of Duddingston Loch, in the hardened mud, yet flowering and fruit- 

 ing abundantly. Another watev-loving species is V. scutellata, or 

 the Marsh Speedwell, with leaves very like the last named, but 

 smaller, and faintly toothed, while the pale-blue or flesh-coloured 

 blossoms are a little larger than V. Anagallis. I have found this 

 plant not so abundant as its neighbour, the Water Speedwell : per- 

 •haps, from its smaller leaves and more straggling habit, it may be 

 apt to be overlooked. Leaving now the marsh for the dry ground, 

 our next example is V. Chamtedrys, or the Germander Speedwell — 

 one of the prettiest of our wayside flowers, its spikes of bright-blue 

 blossoms peeping out from dry banks and hedgerows from early 

 May to the end of June. This flower, with its alternate pairs of 

 leaves, and its two i^oios of hairs changing sides with each pair, is 

 familiar to all of its in our walks round the outskirts of the city. 

 A mere catalogue of its uses in rustic medicines in former times 

 would take up far more space than the subject is worth. For in- 

 stance, as a cure for gout and in cancer, it is -recommended by old 

 Gerard in " good broth of a hen " ; and another old herbalist urges 

 its use " for all diseases of the brain." In dry banks and pastures, 

 as well as in woods, you will find the Common Speedwell (V. offi- 

 cinalis). It may at once be identified by its hairy stem, egg- 

 shaped leaves on short stalks, and small, very pale blue or lilac 



VOL. I. X 



