16 J. ENGLISH BOTANY. 
typical plant is liable to great variation in the very points in which 
it differs from V. hirsuta, and it would require to he studied in 
its native habitat before a definite opinion could be given. 
Common Speedwell. 
French, Veronique Officinale. German, Gebrauchlicher Ehrenpreis. 
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 theine. Among the Welsh peasantry great virtues 
are still attributed to the Speedwell, and the emperor Charles V. is said to have used 
it as an " arcanum " for the gout. 
srECIES XIV.— V EHONICA CHAM^IDRYS. Linn. 
Plate DCCCCLXXXVI. 
Reich. 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 
axillary 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-lanccolate, 
acute, ciliated with jointed hairs mostly tipped with minute 
glands. Capsule half as long as the calyx, inversely deltoid-semi- 
circular, emarginate, 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 the capsule. 
Stem with 2 opposite hairy strips ; leaves with jointed hairs ; 
peduncles, 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 the 
point where the leaves commence, 3 to 18 inches long. Leaves \ to 
li inch long. Peduncles elongated, 2 to 6 inches long. Flowers 
