Speedwell. 
(FIDELITY.) 
'* Those flowers of an azure as pure as the sky. ” 
Axon. 
T HESE beautiful little symbols of fidelity are sometimes 
called by their older name of Veronica , an abridgment 
of Vera-icon , an appellation compounded out of Latin and 
Greek, and signifying true image. This singular designation 
of the Speedwell arose from one of those quaint semi-religious 
superstitions of the middle ages, with which European tra¬ 
ditionary literature has been so deeply imbued. The legend 
records that the handkerchief of St. Veronica received^ the 
impression of the Saviour’s face, as He used it to wipe away 
the perspiration from His countenance when bearing His cross 
to the place of crucifixion; and from some fancied resemblance 
in the blossom of this flower to the sacred relic, it was named 
after its sainted owner. The flowers of the speedwell are 
flesh-coloured, white, or blue, but the latter hue is most ad¬ 
mired. The lovely little blue Rock Speedwell is frequently 
called forget-me-not, but has no real claim to that memorable 
title: it is probably the hopeful-looking little floweret which 
Germans are so fond of planting upon graves, and to which 
these lines refer: 
“ Meet offerings they are to the kind and the good, 
Those flowers of an azure as pure as the sky; 
And these are they gathered in mournfullest mood, 
Or planted and tended with many a sigh. 
Where friendship reposes, or love is asleep, 
Their beauty is decking the lowly green sod ; 
While heart-stricken mourners come hither to weep, 
Over her who has left them to rise to her God.” 
The Germander Speedwell is a native of Europe and Japan. 
“Few of our wild flowers,” remarks Mr. Martyn, “can vie in 
