90 BROOKLIAir. 



one to two feet in height. The leaves are opposite, broad, 

 elliptical, glabrous, succulent, with short petioles, and somewhat 

 serrated at the margin. The flowers are disposed in lateral 

 axillary clusters, each flower standing on a slender pedicel, fur- 

 nished with two bracteae at the base. The calyx is persistent, 

 with four divisions. The corolla is bright blue, monopetalous, 

 wheel shaped ; the limb divided into four unequal segments, of 

 which the lower is smallest. The two stamens are inserted 

 into the short tube of the corolla, with spreading filaments, and 

 oblong, somewhat arrow-shaped anthers. The germen is su- 

 perior, compressed laterally, surmounted with a filiform style, 

 and a simple emarginate stigma. The capsule is ob-cordate, 

 compressed, 2 celled, 4-valved, containing many roundish and 

 dark coloured seeds. Plate 7, fig. 1, («) the corolla; (b) calyx 

 and pistil ; (c) fruit. 



The name Veronica is of doubtful origin ; it is generally sup- 

 posed to have been altered from Betonica ; that of Beccabunga, 

 is Latinised from the German, huchhnnge ; bach in German, 

 beeh, in Dutch, and hech in provincial English, signifying a 

 brook. 



The Brooklime is a well known aquatic plant, occurring in 

 every limpid stream, and exhibiting its bright blue flowers 

 throughout the summer months. It is so vivacious as to brave 

 the scorcliing heat of Africa, and the frosts of northern Europe, 

 while it flourishes luxuriantly in the intermediate regions. 



The Water Speedwell (V. anagallis) bears a considerable re- 

 semblance to this species, but is distinguished by its longer 

 leaves and racemes of flowers, and erect stem. Of the other 

 species, the pretty Germander Speedwell (\^(^hamoedrys) is most 

 common, and yields to few spring flowers in simple beauty. 



Qualities and general UsA. — The Brooklime is chiefly 

 used as a spring salad, gathered and eaten with water-cress, 

 and the Water Speedwell, which closely resembles it in appear- 

 ance, may be employed in the same manner. 



The leaves and stem have a bitterish and sub-astringent taste, 

 with little or no acrimony. They are shown by chemical ex- 

 periments, to be subacid and slightly astringent. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Boerhaave, Simon Pauli, 

 and Vogel, speak of the efficacy of this plant in the highest 

 terms, and it has always been a favourite remedy in scorbutic 



