VERONICA BECCABUNGA-BROOKLIME, 



CLASS, DIANDRIA ; ORDER POLYGYNIA. 

 NATURAL ORDER, SCROPHULARCACE^E. 



GENR. CHAR. Carolla five cleft ; wheelshaped with the lower 

 segment narrower. SPEC. CHAR. Racemes lateral. Leaves ovate 



O 



and flat, Stem repent. 



Often in a country stroll the humble and quiet beauty of this plant 

 will rivet the attention, and despite the danger, tempt the observer to 

 leave his path to gather it ; a practice by the by, that taking into 

 consideration the fact that plants are living existences, is certainly 

 not the best adapted to encourage its brother tribes to show forth 

 their radiant beauties. Many a one in pursuing this flower has met 

 with unpleasant falls, and there are plenty of embryo botanists whose 

 hearts beat high with the hope to rival Linnaeus, and who until they 

 experienced some mishaps thought themselves competent to brave 

 all dangers, to whom this plant has proved the ports asinorum of 

 their favorite science. 



Whoever has read the Pilgrim's Progress will remember how well 

 Mr. Fearing fared in the valley of humiliation, in the same way this 

 plant when allowed to pursue its own course, and entirely neglected 

 by the world, thrives best. In unfrequented wastes, in road-sides 

 if there happens to be some moisture present, in ditches and in neg- 

 lected gardens, coming to cheer what the others have forsaken, it 

 will be found early in the spring, the harbinger of a brighter and more 

 glorious race, who follow in the steps of their lowly predecessor, to 



