257 
SPARKED GRASS. Variegated Grass, also called 
LADY’S GARTERS, Phalaris arundinacea (S.W. 
Wilts, Somerset border). Dr. Watson suggests 
the grass intended is much more likely to be 
P. canariensis. 
SPARKED HoLm. A variegated form of Holly, 
Ilex aquifolium. 
SPARKED LAUREL. Variegated Laurel, Aucuba 
japonica. 
SPARROW Birps. The Herb Robert, Geranium 
Robertianum (West Somerset). The late Mr. F. 
T. Elworthy quotes a man as saying: ‘“‘ We calls 
?em Sparrow-birds, but the proper name’s Arb 
Rabbits.”’ 
SPARROW GRASS. A corruption of Asparagus. 
Mr. T. W. Cowan tells me that in his ‘* Book 
about Roses’”’ Dean Hole states that upon one 
occasion being asked to adjudicate at a rustic 
flower show on the merits of certain classes of 
wild ferns and grasses, amongst the latter he 
observed three cases of Asparagus being ex- 
hibited. Upon his saying to the exhibitors that 
this was not contemplated by the schedule, his 
ignorance was at once enlightene1—* Please. 
sir, it says ferns and grasses, and this is sparrow 
grass.” 
SPEAK, SPEEK, or SPpEKE. (1) Lavender, 
Lavandula Spica. 
(2) Several correspondents apply the name 
to the Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis. 
SpEAR. (1) A. kind of thick rush (G. 
Sweetman). 
(2) Pampas Grass, Gynerium argenteum (a 
Crewkerne school-girl). 
SPEARS. The stems of the Reed, Ariundo 
Phragmites, sometimes employed instead of laths 
to hold plaster (Rev. W. Barnes). The name of 
this Reed in the London Catalogue is Phragmites 
communis. 
SPEAR THISTLE. Spear Plume Thistle, Cnicus 
lanceolatus. 
SPEEDWELL. The general English name for 
the genus Veronica, of which the best known and 
most popular is probably the Germander Speed- 
well or BIRD’s-EYE, V. Chamedrys. Dr. Prior 
attributes the name to the way in which the 
coroila falls off and flies away as soon as it is 
gathered; ‘‘ Speedwell” being equivalent to 
‘** Fare-well,’ “‘ Good-bye,”’ and a common form 
of valediction in old times. ‘‘ Forget-me-not,” a 
name that has since passed t>2 a Myosotis, appears 
to have first been given to this plant and addressed 
to its fleeting flowers. Compare BREAK-BASIN. 
Spick. (1) Lavender, Lavandula Spica. 
(2) A Reed (Phragmites communis), formerly 
psig a of laths for plastering (Geo. Sweet- 
man). 
