GERMANDER SPEEDWELL. 



admired decoration in ecclesiastical art, in which it is figured 

 in great variety of form, but so faithfully representing the 

 original as in no case to be mistaken. May it not in all places, 

 so used, call to our minds that ardour and warmth of devotion 

 which should mark all our religious observances ? 



GERMANDER SPEEDWELL {Veronica chamcedrys).— 



Faithfulness. • 



There are many species of this genus, but not one exceeds 

 in beauty the little Germander Speedwell, which is very 

 common in our hedgerows. Its pretty blue flowers grow in 

 masses ; and so much is it admired that it is introduced into 

 our gardens, where it grows longer and blooms for a more 

 lengthened period than in its wild state ; but in this con- 

 dition it rarely survives more than one year, and therefore is 

 treated as an annual, and as such far surpasses many exotics. 

 Its generic name is Greek, and is said by some to signify, 

 Faithful Likeness. 



GLASSWORT.— Pretension. 



The different species of this useful plant grow most 

 abundantly by the sea, in salt marshes, and yield the barilla 

 of commerce, so valuable in the manufacture of soap. It is 

 also used in the production of glass, whence its common 

 name. A lively fancy has compared it to one who, with some 

 pretension to beauty, smitten with her own charms, delights 

 in admiring her reflected image, since this pretty plant 

 droops over the crystal stream near which it grows. 



97 



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