in botany: A genus of plants of the class of diandria, and order of monogynia; and in the natural system arranged under the 40th order, Perforatae. There are 40 species; Verteill species; 15 are natives of Britain, only two of which have been applied to any use. 1. The officinalis, common male speed-well, or fluellin; a native of Britain, growing on heaths and barren grounds. The blossoms are blue, the leaves elliptical, serrated, and hairy. The leaves have a small degree of astringency, and are somewhat bitter. An infusion of them is recommended by Hoffman as a substitute for tea; but is more astringent and less grateful. The herb was formerly esteemed in medicine for various disorders, but is now almost totally diluted. Cows, sheep, goats, and horses, eat it; swine refuse it. 2. The beccabunga, or common brooklime, the flowers of which are blue, in loose lateral spikes; leaves sessile, oval, opposite, thick, notched.

This plant was formerly considered as of much use in several diseases, and was applied externally to wounds and ulcers; but if it have any peculiar efficacy, it is to be derived from its antiseptic virtue. As a mild refrigerant juice it is preferred where an acrimonious state of the fluids prevails, indicated by prurient eruptions upon the skin, or in what has been called the hot fever. We must, however, acknowledge, that we should expect equal benefit from the same quantity of any other bland fresh vegetable matter taken into the system. To derive much advantage from it, the juice ought to be used in large quantities, or the fresh plant eaten as food.