161 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



typical plant is liable to great variation in the very points in which 

 it differs from V. hirsute, and it would require to be studied in 

 its native habitat before a definite opinion covdd be given. 



Common Speedwell. 



French, Vironique Offichude. German, Gebrauchliclier Elirenpreis. 



This species of Veronica was recognized among our native medical remedies until 

 very lately. Its leaves possess astringency and bitterness. An infusion of them has 

 been recommended as a substitute for tea, but they are very unpalatable, and are desti- 

 tute of any principle analogous to fcheine. Among the Welsh peasantry great virtues 

 are still attributed to the Speedwell, aud the emperor Charles V. is said to have used 

 it as an " arcanum " for the gout. 



SrECIES XIV.— VERONICA CHAMDRYS. Linn. 



Plate DCCCCLXXXVI. 



Jieich. Ic. FL Germ, et Helv. Vol. XX. Tab. MDCCIV. Figs. 2, 3, 4. 

 Billot, Fl. GalL et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2114. 



Stems rather wiry, decumbent, rooting only close to the base, 

 then ascending, branched only at the base ; branches ascending. 

 Leaves sessile or subsessile, broadly ovate, subcordate at the base, 

 obtuse, deeply inciso-crenate or crenate-serrate. Flowers in lax 

 axillai*y racemes elongating in fruit. Peduncles mostly opposite, 

 much longer than the leaves ; pedicels longer than their bracts and 

 calyx (generally twice as long). Sepals 4, strapshaped-lanceolate, 

 acute, ciliated with jointed hairs mostly tipped with minute 

 glands. Capsule half as long as the calyx, inversely deltoid-semi- 

 circular, cmarginate, much compressed, without conspicuous ele- 

 vated lines, pubescent, ciliated with jointed hairs which are often 

 tipped with minute glands ; lobes divaricate, separated by a very 

 obtuse-angled sinus. Style half as long again as tbe capsule. 

 Stem with 2 opposite hairy strips ; leaves with jointed hairs ; 

 ped ancles, pedicels, bracts, calyx, and capsule with long gland- 

 tipped hairs. 



On banks, pastures, woods, &c. Very common, and generally 

 distributed. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Spring and 

 Early Summer. 



Rootstock creeping, branched, passing insensibly into the 

 stems, which are wiry at the base, and root very little above t lie 

 point where the leaves commence, 3 to 18 inches long. Leaves i to 

 \\ inch long. Peduncles elongated, 2 to 6 inches long. Flowers 



