74 PROSERPINA. 



7. Triphylla, (not triphylle>s, see Flora Suecica, 22). 

 Meaning trifid-leaved ; but the leaf is really divided into 

 live lobes, not three see S. 974, and G. 10. The palmate 

 form of the leaf seems a mere caprice, and indicates no 

 transitional form in the plant : it may be accepted as only 

 a momentary compliment of mimicry to the geraniums. 

 The Siberian variety, ' multifida,' C. 1679, divides itself 

 almost as the submerged^ leaves of the water-ranunculus. 



The triphylla itself is widely diffused, growing alike 

 on the sandy fields of Kent, and of Troy. In I). 627 is 

 given an extremely delicate and minute northern type, 

 the flowers springing as in Persica, one from each leaf- 

 axil, and at distant intervals. 



8. Officinalis. D. 248, S. 294. Fr. 'Yeronique offi- 

 cinale ' ; (Germ. Gebrauchlicher Ehrenpreis,) our com- 

 monest English and Welsh speedwell ; richest in cluster 

 and frankest in roadside growth, whether on bank or 

 rock ; but assuredly liking either a bank or a rock, an4 

 the top of a wall better than the shelter of one. Un- 

 countable ''myriads,' I am tempted to write, but, cau- 

 tiously and literally, 'hundreds' of blossoms if one 

 could count, ranging certainly towards the thousand in 

 some groups, all bright at once, make our Westmoreland 

 lanes look as if they were decked for weddings, in early 

 summer. In the Danish Flora it is drawn small and 

 poor ; its southern type being the true one : but it is dif- 

 ficult to explain the difference between the look of a 

 flower which really suffers, as in this instance, by a colder 



