NAT. ORDER. 



PersonatcB. 



VERONICA BECCABUNGA. BROOKLIME. 



CUiss II. DiANDRiA. Order I. Monogynia. 



Gen. Char. Corolla, foui--parted, laciniate. 



Spe. Char. Capsule, biocular. Leaves, ovate, plain. Stalk, up- 

 right. 



Brooldlme is a native of the United States, although found in 

 some parts of Eiu-ope. It grovrs by the side of brooks, and in moist 

 lands, and sometimes in the water. This plant, although very com- 

 mon in America, has, I think, never been accurately described by any 

 American botanist whatever ; yet some of the works speak of it, but 

 not as being officinal. 



The root is perennial, creeping, jointed, and sends forth from each 

 joint numerous long slender fibres ; the leaves are thick, oval, smooth, 

 ol)tusely serrated, of a pale gi'een color, and stand upon the stem in 

 pairs, either sessile, or upon very short footstalks ; tlie stem is round, 

 jointed, creeping, smooth, succulent, and usually of a reddish brown 

 color, rising from one to two feet in height ; the raceme or Jloicer- 

 sp'thcs are lateral, opposite, bracteated, and terminated by the flowers, 

 wliich are of a faint blue color, and divided into four small roundish 

 leaves ; the calyx is quadrifid. 



Propagation and Culture. The hardy, herbaceous, perennial 

 species of Veronica are generally grown in flower borders, for which 

 they are well fitted, on account of their beauty ; they are of the most 

 easy culture, and are readily increased by division at the roots. The 



