14 VERONICA. [CLASS xi. ORDER i. 



inclining to heart-shape, more or less deeply serrated, shorter than the 

 axillary flower-stalks. Calyx segments ovate, acute, dilating and 

 becoming veiny in maturity, longer than the capsule, which is formed 

 of two tumid round lobes, not keeled, and each cell many-seeded. Co- 

 rolla small, bright blue. The whole plant more or less hairy, and of 

 a greyish-green colour. This varies but little from V. agrestis, and no 

 doubt is frequently passed over as the same. The most permanent dis- 

 tinguishing characters are to be sought for in the calyx segments and 

 tumid, not keeled capsule ; the length of the flower-stalks we find to 

 vary in both species, mainly depending upon the situations in which 

 they have grown : the seeds too are more numerous than in the pre- 

 ceding. 



Habitat. In waste and cultivated ground frequently growing with 

 V. agrestis. 



Annual ; flowering during the summer. 



15. V. Jiederifo'lia, (Fig. 21.) Ivy-leaved Speediuell small Henb it. 

 Stem procumbent, leaves cordate, from five to seven, lobed, petio- 

 lated, calyx segments cordate and ciliated, capsule of two turgid 

 lobes, its cells two-seeded. 



English Botany, t. 784. English Flora, vol. i. p. 25. Lindley, Sy- 

 nopsis, p. 189. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 7. 



Root long, fibrous. Stem from six to eighteen inches long, procum- 

 bent, branching freely at the base, thinly scattered with slender hairs, 

 sometimes in two opposite lines. Leaves somewhat fleshy, slightly 

 hairy, more or less deeply divided into teeth or lobes, the terminal one 

 the largest, upper ones alone nearly sessile, opposite or alternate, their 

 petioles channelled above. Corolla small, sometimes shorter than the 

 calyx, light blue, or whitish, with dark veins. Flower-stalks as long, 

 or longer than the leaves, reflexed in fruit. The outer segments of 

 the calyx frequently smallest. Capsule smooth. Seed large, mostly 

 four, oval, cupped, and wrinkled. 



Habitat. In fields, hedge-banks, and cultivated ground frequent. 



Annual ; flowering during the summer months. 



Varieties with deeply divided leaves are sometimes mistaken for the 

 more rare species, V. triphyllos, but the tumid capsules at once distin- 

 guish them. 



16. V. triphyl'los, (Fig. 22.) trifid Speedwell blunt-Jinyered Speed- 

 well. Stem erect, with spreading branches, upper leaves sessile, 

 deeply cut in obtuse segments, lower ones petiolated, flower-stalks 

 longer than the bracteas or the calyx. 



English Botany, t. 26. English Flora, vol. i. p. 25. Lindley, Sy- 

 nopsis, p. 189. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 9. 



Stem from three to five inches high, the branches mostly arising from 

 the lower part. The upper leaves alternate, of from three to five deep 



