270 FLORA HISTORICA. 



colour, greatly resembling those of the Myosotis 

 Palustris, or Forget-me-not. In Scotland, the 

 sprigs of Brook-lime are brought to market under 

 the name of Water-pur pie. 



The Spiked Speedwell, Veronica Spicata, whose 

 bright blue flowers so agreeably enliven the barren 

 spots where it principally flourishes, is one of the 

 plants whose leaves afford a substitute for tea, and 

 its taste is somewhat astringent, like the green tea 

 of China. This plant becomes greatly improved 

 by culture, sending up stalks of flowering spikes 

 from twelve to eighteen inches in height. 



The long-leaved Speedwell, Longifolia, is a 

 native of Germany, Austria, and Russia ; but it 

 has been one of the plants of our parterres for 

 several ages, having been cultivated in London pre- 

 vious to the year 1596. Of this species there are 

 three varieties, one of which produces spikes of blue 

 flowers, one with flesh-coloured, and one with white 

 corollas. 



The perennial sorts of Speedwell are increased 

 by parting the roots in the autumn ; and the seed 

 of the annual kinds should be sown at the same 

 season of the year, observing to place those with 

 trailing branches on the slopes of banks in shady 

 situations, whilst the tall-growing kinds may be 

 intermixed with flowering shrubs. 



The Speedwell is made the symbol of resem- 

 blance, in floral language. 



