VERVAIN. 375 



VERVAIN. 



VERBENA. 



VERBENACE^. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMA. 



The derivation of Verbena is uncertain : it originally signified any 

 herb used to decorate altars. The present plant is also named Juno's- 

 tears. Columbine, and Pigeon' s-grass. — French, \er\eme.— Italian, 

 verbena. 



The Verbenas are generally natives of warm countries, 

 and require much care and tenderness ; most of them 

 may be preserved, hovi^ever, without a stove, when once 

 raised. The Cut-leaved Rose Vervain is an annual or 

 biennial plant, in some estimation for its brilliant colours. 

 It flowers in June and July. 



The most popular kind is the Three-leaved, of which 

 the scent seems to partake of the Lemon and the Almond. 

 The leaves are delicate and elegant; the flowers pale 

 purple. This delightful little shrub is a native of South 

 America : it may stand abroad in the summer, but should 

 be housed again about Michaelmas. It may be increased 

 by cuttings planted in any of the summer months. 



The Common Vervain — in French, vcrvcne verveine ; 

 herhe sacree [sacred herb] : in Italian, verbena ; erba colom- 

 bina [dove-wort] — is a native of Europe, Barbary, China, 

 Cochinchina, and Japan. With us it grows by road-sides, and 

 in dry sunny pastures. Mr. Miller remarks, " that although 

 Vervain is very common, yet it is never found above a 

 quarter of a mile from a house," whence it has been named 

 by some, Simpler's-joy. The fact, however, is not allowed; 

 and Dr. Withering found it in plenty at the foot of St. 

 Vincent's rocks. It begins to flower in July, and continues 

 to the end of autumn. 



Vervain was held sacred among the ancients, and was 

 employed in sacrifices, incantations, &c. : it is one of the 

 plants termed by the Greeks Sacred Herb. It was sus- 



