292 FLORA HISTORICA. 



slightly bitterish in taste. It is generally found 

 growing in rivulets with water-cresses, the leaves 

 are set on short petioles, blunt, slightly serrate, 

 of a bright green, and somewhat fleshy. The 

 flower-buds are of a reddish tint, but when they 

 are expanded they are of a fine blue colour, 

 greatly resembling those of the Myosotis Palmtris, 

 or Forget-me-not. In Scotland, the sprigs of 

 Brook-lime are brought to market under the name 

 of Water-piirpie. 



The Spiked Speedwell, Veronica Spicata, whose 

 bright blue flowers so agreeably enliven the bar- 

 ren 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 flower- 

 ing 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 

 previous 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 



