26 DIANDRIA. 



blossoms from may or June to August, or later ; the 

 flowers varying in their colours, pale blue, pale red, 

 and white j but what is more remarkable, it has been 

 found abroad with double flowers. 



The leaves are bitterish and rough ish to the taste, 

 and formerly they were much recommended and 

 used in Sweden and Germany as a substitute for 

 Tea, than which they are more astringent, and less 

 grateful. 



As the botanical name of this plant, Veronica, is 

 usually pronounced as if the accent were on the two 

 letters on, and is so taught in common books on Botany, 

 I take this opportunity to remark, that there is no 

 good authority for this pronunciation. If the word be 

 derived from the Greek, which is most probable, then 

 the i must be unquestionably long, and according to 

 our English pronunciation the accent must be placed 

 upon that letter. Gardeners in like manner pronounce 

 Clematis, Erica, Arbutus, as if the accents were on the a 

 in the first, on the er in the second, and on the u, long, 

 in the third, which ought to be short, without suffi- 

 cient reason for the deviation from classical authority. 

 The Greek and Latin languages which are used and 

 accommodated to the science of botany are too 

 often corrupted ; but this is to be regretted, and the 

 evil if possible ought to be diminished rather than in- 

 creased. 6 



h To enter into particular criticism on Botanical words, 

 would look too much like pedantry in this place; I shall there- 



