COLUMBINE. 131 



Mr. W. Browne says — 



*' The Columbine in tawny often taken, 

 Is then ascribed to such as are forsaken." 



The English name of Columbine is derived 

 from Cohonba, the Latin name of the pigeon, as 

 the nectaries of this flower are thought to re- 

 semble the head and neck of these birds. The 

 generic name comes from Aquila, an eagle, from 

 the fancied resemblance which the same parts of 

 the flowers have to the claws of this king of 

 birds. Some etymologists are of opinion that 

 the name of Aqidlegia is given to this plant, be- 

 cause the leaves, when not fully expanded, collect 

 and gather a great deal of rain-water. 



Gerard tells us that it was formerly called 

 Herba Leonis by some persons, from a suppo- 

 sition that it was the favourite plant of the Hon. 



The French call it Ancolie, the Italians Aqui- 

 legiciy the Dutch Aglei/ and Akekyen, the Ger- 

 mans Akelei/ and Aglei/. 



The common Columbine, Vulgaris^ has long held 

 a situation in our gardens, since it is mentioned 

 by Dr. Turner in that part of his work which 

 bears date 15G4; but he observes that he had 

 not seen it growing wild in England, but that he 

 had found it in that state in Germany, and of dif- 



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