3. The third kind of Veronica creepeth with branches and leaves like unto Serpillum, for which cause it hath been called Veronica serpillifolia. The flowers grow along the small and tender branches, of a whitish colour declining to blueness. The root is small and thready, taking hold upon the upper face of the earth, where it spreadeth. The seed is contained in small pouches like the former.

            4. The fourth hath a root somewhat woody, from the which rise up leaves like unto the former. The small upright stalk is beset with the like leaves, but lesser, at the top whereof cometh forth a slender spike closely thrust together, and full of bluish flowers, which are succeeded by many horned seed vessels.

Fig. 940. Kinds of Fluellen (5-8)

            5. This hath many woody round smooth branches, some handful and half high or better: the leaves are like those of wild Thyme, but longer, and of a blacker colour, sometimes lightly snipped: at the tops of the branches grow flowers of a whitish blue colour, consisting of four, five, or else six little leaves apiece; which falling, there follow round seed vessels, containing a round small and black seed. It flowers in August, and grows upon cold and high mountains, as the Alps. Pena calls this Veronica alpina minima serpillifolia: and Clusius hath it by the name of Veronica 3 fruticans.

            6. The sixth kind of Veronica hath many upright branches a foot high and sometimes more, dividing themselves into sundry other small twigs; at the top whereof do grow fair spiky tufts, bearing bright and shining blue flowers. The leaves are somewhat long, indented about the edges like a saw: the root is compact of many threads, or strings.

            7. This hath stalks some cubit high and sometimes more, and these not very full of branches, yet having divers joints, at each whereof do grow forth two leaves, two or three inches long, and one broad, and these leaves are also thick, smooth, and shining, lightly snipped or cut about the edges, and of a very astringent and drying taste, and at last somewhat biting. At the top of the stalks grow spoky tufts of blue flowers like those of the last mentioned, but of somewhat a lighter colour, and they begin first to flower or show themselves below, and so go upwards; the seed, which is small and black, is contained in flat seed vessels: the root is thick with many fibres, every year thrusting up new shoots. There is a variety of this with the leaves not so black and shining, but having more branches; and another which hath a longer spike or tuft of flowers. Clusius calls this Veronica erectior latifolia.

            8. The eighth having his stalks leaning upon the ground looketh with his face upright, having sundry flexible branches, set with leaves like unto wild Germander by couples, one right against another, deeply jagged about the edges, in respect of the other before mentioned. The flowers are of a blue colour: the root is long, with some threads appendant thereto.

The Place.

            Veronica groweth upon banks, borders of fields, and grassy mole-hills, in sandy grounds, and in woods, almost everywhere.

            The fourth kind, my good friend Mr. Stephen Bredwell, practioner in physic found and showed it me in the close next adjoining to the house of Mr. Bele, chief of the clerks of her Majesty's Council, dwelling at Barnes near London. The sixth is a stranger in England, but I have it growing in my garden.

The Time.

            These flower from May to September.

The Names.

            These plants are comprehended under this general name Veronica; and Dodonæus would have the first of them to be the Betonica of Paulus Ægineta, and Turner and Gesner the third: we do call them in English, Paul's Betony, or Speedwell: in Welsh it is called Fluellen, and the Welsh people do attribute great virtues to the same: in High Dutch, Growndheill; in Low Dutch, Creu priis, that is to say, Honor and Praise.

The Nature.

            These are of a mean temperature, between heat and dryness.

The Virtues.

            A. The decoction of Veronica drunk, soldereth and healeth all fresh and old wounds, cleanseth the blood from all corruption, and is good to be drunk for the kidneys, and against scurviness and foul spreading tetters, and consuming and fretting sores, the smallpox and measles.

            B. The water of Veronica distilled with wine, and re-distilled so often until the liquor wax of a reddish colour, prevaileth against the old cough, the dryness of the lungs, and all ulcers and inflammation of the same.