CHAPTER VIII 
A RAMBLE IN MAY *. LUNCH-TIME 
We will take our lunch on that dry bank, from which 
we can get a view of the woods and the streamlet 
that skirts the meadow. ‘This is a good position 
to take up, and I have no doubt we shall see plenty 
of things to talk about while we enjoy our sand- 
wiches. : c 
The water from a spring empties itself into the 
brook just below us, and I believe I see some Water- 
cress (Nasturtium officinale) growing at the edge of 
the stream ; a few sprigs of it would make a lovely 
anda healthy salad. I think you might gather some, 
Victor ; wash it carefully in the spring-water, and 
bring it here as quickly as you can. 
You call that Watercress? What a mistake ! 
That stuff is Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), a 
member of the Speedwell family which haunts 
brooks and ditches. It has opposite, elliptical 
leaves quite different from those of the Watercress, 
which are pinnate and alternate. Watercress belongs 
to the Cruciferz, and bears white flowers, whereas 
the Brooklime is one of the Scrophulariaceze. Neither 
plant flowers until June, when you will be able to 
see that Watercress bears white flowers, and the 
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