6 GERMANDER SPEEDWELL. 



its tribe are earlier still. Thus the Ivy-leaved 

 Speedwell, with light blue blossoms, and leaves 

 shaped like those of the ivy, is very common 

 in cultivated lands, and among hedges ; and if 

 March is fine, it may be found then, while it is 

 sure to be abundant in April. Country people 

 call it Winter- weed; but the Procumbent 

 Speedwell, a plant with very small blue blos- 

 soms, and stems which lie along the ground, 

 is the first of all the Speedwells, and comes 

 amidst the winds and rains of early spring- 

 time. The Speedwells are not now considered 

 to possess medicinal properties ; but they were 

 once believed to yield valuable remedies, and 

 were called by the Dutch, Honour and Praise. 

 Several of the species grow in streams and 

 water-courses. That common flower of the 

 stream-side, the Brooklime Speedwell, with its 

 smooth fleshy leaves, and briUiant blue flowers, 

 was formerly eaten in salads. Its pungent 

 leaves are still mingled with water-cresses, 

 and sold in Scotland. This plant is called by 

 botanists Veronica Beccabunga, and appears 

 to have derived its name from the Flemish 

 Beck-pungen, Mouth-smart. 



