LARKSPUR, 101 



fish. In tlie natural single state of this flower^ the 

 outer petals form a kind of horn-shaped nectary 

 at the back of the corolla, which is similar to the 

 spur of the Lark's-foot, hence the name of Lark- 

 spur and Lark's-heel in English ; and PiecU 

 (Talouette in French : in the latter language it is 

 also called Eperon de chevalier, Knight's-spur, 

 "vvhich corresponds with the Italian name of Sperone 

 di cavaliere. The Italians also honour it by the 

 name of Fioi- regio, King-flower. 



Gerard mentions the Larkspur amongst the 

 flowers which were cultivated in the reign of Queen 

 Elizabeth, but he does not seem to have been ac- 

 quainted with this flower in its double state, for it 

 was not until about the beginning of the seven- 

 teenth century that double flowers were so eagerly 

 sought after ; and it appears to have been abou^. 

 that period, when the florimania raged to such an 

 excess among the Dutch, that the Larkspur had 

 its petals multiplied to the exclusion of its spur, as 

 we find it noticed by Parkinson, in 1629, who 

 speaks of the great varieties of colours in these 

 double flowers, and notices the loss of the spur 

 when the petals become double. On this account 

 the double varieties should be called after the 

 generic name only, as Lark's-spur is nnappropriate 

 Avhen the spur is not retained. The Delphinium, 

 although it loses its spur by the increase of its. 



