BLUE AND PURPLE 



members of this genus were once believed to possess great medic- 

 inal virtues, and won for themselves in Europe the laudatory 

 names of Honor and Praise. 



COMMON SPEEDWELL. 



Veronica officinalis. Figwort Family. 

 The little speedwell's darling blue 



is noticeable during June and July, when clusters of these tiny 

 flowers brighten many a waste spot along the sunny roadsides. 

 This is a hairy little plant, with a stem which lies upon the 

 ground and takes root, thus spreading itself quickly over the 

 country. 



ARETHUSA. 



Arethusa bulbosa. Orchis Family (p. 17). 



Scape. Sheathed, from a globular bulb, usually one-flowered. Leaf. 

 " Solitary, linear, nerved, hidden in the sheaths of the scape, protruding 

 after flowering." (Gray.) Flower. Rose-purpkr /t large, with a bearded 

 lip. 



In some localities this beautiful flower is very plentiful. 

 Every June will find certain New England marshes tinged with 

 its rose-purple blossoms, while in other near and promising bogs 

 it may be sought vainly for years. At least it may be hoped for 

 in wet places as far south as North Carolina, its most favorite 

 haunt being perhaps a cranberry-swamp. Concerning it, Mr. 

 Burroughs writes : *" Arethusa was one of the nymphs who at- 

 tended Diana, and was by that goddess turned into a fountain, 

 that she might escape the god of the river Alpheus, who became 

 desperately in love with her on seeing her at her bath. Our 

 Arethusa is one of the prettiest of the orchids, and has been pur- 

 sued through many a marsh and quaking - bog by her lovers. 

 She is a bright pink-purple flower an inch or more long, with 

 the odor of sweet violets. The sepals and petals rise up and 

 arch over the column, which we may call the heart of the flower, 

 as if shielding it. In Plymouth County, Mass., where the Are- 

 thusa seems common, I have heard it called Indian pink." 



