SOUTHERNWOODSPEEDWELL. 399 



of small yellow flowers ; but the flowers seldom open in 

 this country. 



It may be increased by slips planted in April, and well 

 watered : they must remain in the shade till rooted. This 

 plant is often esteemed by old persons for its aromatic 

 scent; but is not now a very fashionable plant. It was 

 formerly a common garden plant in London, as it will live 

 even in the densest parts. It is used in medicine, and its 

 branches will dye wool yellow. 



The Artemisia is included among the flowers of poetical 

 origin in Mr. Smith's Poem of Amarynthus : 



" That with the yellow crown, named from the queen 

 Who built the Mausoleum." 



This shrub is said not only to repel moths, but to have 

 power to drive away serpents also; it is included among 

 the plants mentioned by Lucan as being used by the 

 Psyllians for that purpose : 



" There the large branches of the long-lived hart, 

 With southernwood, their odours strong impart ; 

 The monsters of the land, the serpents fell, 

 Fly far away, and shun the hostile smell." 



HOWE'S LUCAN, Book &. 



SPEEDWELL. 



VERONICA. 



BHINANTHACE^E. DIANDRIA MOXOGYNIA.- 



French, veronique. Italian) veronica. 



MOST of the Veronicas are natives of cold countries, and 

 consequently hardy : they may be increased by parting the 

 roots in autumn; which, in pots, should be done every 

 year. The annual kinds may be sown in Autumn. 



The Cross-leaved species requires shelter from frost; 



