OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS 
129 
V. INCANA, Lin. 
This plant is quite white with hoary tomentum, which covers both the leaves and stem. It was introduced 
in 1759 . The flowers are either blue or purple. 
V. SPICATA, Lin. 
This is a very common species all over Europe ; but in England it is only found in high, dry, chalky 
pastures. There are several varieties. 
V. PINNATA, Ait. 
This species has pinnate leaves. The flowers are either blue or white. It is a native of Siberia, whence it 
was introduced in 1776- 
;j V. LACINIATA, Ait. 
This species is remarkable for its leaves, which are produced in tufts, and are so curiously pinnatifid as to 
I I' appear jagged. The species is a native of Siberia, whence it was introduced in I 78 O. 
V. ALPINA, Lin. 
S This species is common on all the Alps of Europe, and it is found in various places from the Highlands of 
' Scotland to the Himalayan Mountains. 
I V. OFFICINALIS, Lin. 
I This is the common English Speedwell. It is a well-known British plant, with a creeping root, or rather 
Ij underground stem, which is always found in damp woods. It was formerly much used in medicine, and it was 
supposed by Simon Paullix, an old Danish Botanist, to be the true Chinese tea. It is now very seldom used. 
There are many other species of Veronica, several of which are common British plants. The most remarkable 
of these is, perhaps, the Brook-lime, V. Beccabunga. 
GENUS V. 
PENTSTEMON, Mich. THE PENTSTEMON. 
Lin. Syst. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Generic Character.— Calyx five-parted, with one distinct solitary I of a fifth ; two of them longer than the others ; anthers distinct. 
I bract. Corolla ventricose, bilabiate. Stamens four, with the rudiment | Capsule ovate, two-celled, two-valved, many-seeded. Seeds angular. 
I Description, &c. — All the species belonging to this genus are either perennials or under-shribs, with 
I smooth opposite leaves, which are generally drawn out to a long point. The flowers are disposed in loose 
racemes, and are generally very showy ; .,he shape of the corolla is generally tubular, and decidedly bilabiate, 
j the upper lip being much shorter than the other ; but sometimes it is almost campanulate, and five-lobed. The 
1 anthers are frequently woolly or hairy, and the lower lip bearded at the throat. All the species are natives of 
North America. The name of Pentstemon, which signifies five stamens, alludes to the rudiments of a fifth 
[ stamen being conspicuous in the plants belonging to this genus. Some botanists make this genus and Chelone 
• into a separate order, called Chelonse. 
I 
VOL. II. 
