Scrophularince—Digitahs. 349 
deeply 5-lobed. Corolla declinate, tubular, irregularly campa- 
nulate or ventricose, the lower central lobe being longest. 
Stamens 4, included; anthers cohering in pairs. Fruit cap- 
sular, opening in 2 valves. Upwards of a dozen species have 
been described, chiefly from the Mediterranean region. The 
name is from digitale, a finger-stall or thimble, the shape of 
the corolla. 
1. D. purpivrea (fig. 192). Foxglove.—This common indi- 
genous biennial species is the handsomest of the genus, but it 
is only suitable for large gardens, shrubberies, or parks, where 
it may be grown in masses ina semi-wild state. Leaves slightly 
cottony. Flowers in the common variety purple speckled with 
ocellated spots; a white and a rosy variety are occasionally 
seen. 
D. Thé&psi is a perennial species resembling the last, with 
decurrent leaves and rather smaller purple spotted flowers on 
distinct peduncles. 
D. ferruginea, D. lutea, D. grandiflora, and D. ochroleiica 
have rusty creamy or pale yellow flowers, and are only worthy 
of a place in large collections. 
19. VERONICA. 
Herbs or shrubs, erect or prostrate in habit, with opposite 
and alternate or rarely whorled leaves. Flowers in terminal 
spikes or racemes, rarely solitary and axillary. Calyx 4- or 5- 
lobed. Corolla rotate or campanulate ; limb unequally 4-lobed, 
spreading. Stamens 2, exserted. Capsule compressed or turgid, 
2-valved. Seeds rather large. A very large genus, numbering 
upwards of 150 species, abounding in the temperate regions 
of the northern hemisphere and in Southern Australasia. 
Fifteen species are found in Britain. The etymology of the 
generic appellation is unexplained. The species are known by 
the English name of Speedwell. 
1. V. spicdéta.—A perennial with erect flowering stems from 
1 to 2 feet high, terminated by racemes of bright blue, rose 
or white flowers. Leaves pubescent, opposite, ovate, oblong, 
obtuse, sessile or petiolate, serrate or crenate. A native of 
South Britain, but rare and local. It produces its handsome 
spikes of flowers freely from June to August. 
2. V. gentianordes.—A pale green perennial about 18 inches 
high, common in cottage gardens. Leaves opposite, linear, 
lanceolate, acute, crenate, three-nerved, with a cartilaginous 
