WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS. 



337 



spontaneously in our alpineries and borders, the Speedwell {Veronica 

 chamcedrys, fig. "j^f). Its flower soon drops when gathered, but it 

 blossoms to gladden our eyes when the nightingales delight our ears, 

 and when this flower appears we know that summer is at hand. It is 

 indeed a beauty amongst all the beauties of the garden. In the water, 

 the. allied Veronica Beccabnuga prospers. 



Growing side by side with this lovely plant, the Ground Ivy 

 flourishes in great perfection. It is highly ornamental in its proper 

 position. 



Immediately after this lowly creeping plant, the Ox-eye (Chrysan- 

 themum lettcanthemi0n) throws up its brilliant white flowers, and looks 

 as if it had a right to assert itself and be quite satisfied with its 

 own appearance. In Scotland, the beautiful C. segetum (fig. 768) is as 

 common as the C. leucanthemum is near London. I brought some 

 plants this autumn from that country, but whether 

 they will do in our climate time alone will show. 



Fig. 768.' — Chrysanthemum- 

 segetum. 



Fig. 769.- — Lysimachia nummularia. Fig. 770. — Spirasa ulmaria. 



During the summer the Moneywort .{Lysimachia nummularia, fig. 

 769) puts forth blossoms along its creeping stems, making these look 

 as if they were covered with guineas. It is a universal favourite, 

 and may continually be seen hanging down from the window-sills in 

 London, where I always admire it. I have a variety of it, the leaves 

 of which are of a golden colour ; when, however, the flowers come out, 

 there is no contrast between leaf and blossom, and it is in fact, like 

 many other florists' flowers, an instance of nature deteriorated by art. 



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