‘BLUE AND PURPLE WILD FLOWERS 
with each pair of leaves. The oblong; or lance-shaped 
leaves taper to a point, and become narrow toward the 
base, each with two small flaring lobes where they partly 
clasp the stalk, upon which they alternate. The 
margins are Eady toothed, and the feather-veined 
ribbings crease the smooth, green surface. The flowers 
spring from the axils of the leaves, on partly curved, 
slender stems, and are set in a deep, five-parted, five- 
toothed tubular calyx, the uppermost tooth of which is 
longer than the others. The irregular corolla is two- 
lipped. The upper lip has two erect lobes which curl 
backward together, causing a two-eared effect, while 
the lower lip has three widely flaring lobes, with its 
centre bulged, forming two small, yellow-patched 
swellings that close the throat of the tube, which sets 
into the calyx. Four white, thread-like stamens are 
seated on the inside of the tube, and their yellow tips 
meet over the top of the two-lobed pistil. They are 
arranged in two pairs, one set being shorter than the 
other. Neither the pistil nor the stamens protrude from 
the corolla, but may be seen flattened against the hooded 
crease of the upper lip, if the lower lip is pulled partly 
open. The texture of the flowers is fine and delicate. 
This perennial herb ranges from Nova Scotia to Vir- 
ginia, Tennessee, Manitoba, Nebraska and Texas. 
AMERICAN BROOKLIME 
Verénica americana. Figwort Family. 
Exceedingly fragile, this nobbiest one of our 
Speedwells drops its tiny, white-centred, light blue 
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