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 
