WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS. 



337 



spontaneously in our alpineries and borders, the Speedwell (Veronica 

 ckamadrys, fig. 767). Its flower soon drops when gathered, but it 

 blossoms to gladden our eyes when the nightingales delight our ears, 

 and when this flower appears we know that summer is at hand. It is 

 indeed a beauty amongst all the beauties of the garden. In the water 

 the allied Veronica Bcccabunga prospers. 



Growing side by side with this lovely plant, the Ground Ivy flourishes 

 in great perfection. It is highly ornamental in its proper position. 



Immediately after this lowly creeping plant, the Ox-eye (Chrysan- 

 themum leucantJicmuni] throws up its brilliant white flowers, and looks 

 as if it had a right to assert itself and be quite satisfied with its 

 own appearance. In Scotland, the beautiful C. segctum (fig. 768) is as 

 common as the C. leucanthemnm is near London. I brought some 

 plants this autumn from that country, but whether 

 they will do in our climate time alone will show. 



FIG. 768. Chrysanthemum 

 segetum. 



FIG. 769. Lysirnachia nummularia. 



FIG. 770. Spiraea ulmaria. 



During the summer the Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia, fig. 

 769) puts forth blossoms along its creeping stems, making these look 

 as if they were covered with guineas. It is a universal favourite, 

 and may continually be seen hanging down from the window-sills in 

 ^London, where I always admire it. I have a variety of it, the leaves 

 of which are of a golden colour ; when, however, the flowers come out, 

 there is no contrast between leaf and blossom, and it is in fact, like 

 many other florists' flowers, an instance of nature deteriorated by art. 



The odoriferous Meadow-sweet (Spircza ulmaria, fig. 77) comes 



