132 FLORA HTSTORTCA. 



ferent colours. Gerard tells us that it was cul- 

 tivated both in the doulDle and single state in his 

 time. 



It is a curious character in the natural history 

 of this plant that it should take three distinct 

 modes of doubling its flowers. It is sometimes 

 seen doubled by the multiplication of the petals, 

 to the exclusion of the nectaries ; at others, by 

 the increase of the nectaries, to the exclusion of 

 the petals ; and frequently by the multiplication 

 of the nectaries while the proper petals remain. 

 It also sports exceedingly in its dyes, as the 

 seeds from one plant frequently produce great 

 varieties of colour, from a white to a rich claret, 

 or from white to blue, even to purple, and in the 

 same rotation from white to rose-colour, frequently 

 blotched with two or three hues, and sometimes 

 with the nectaries of various colours, which adds 

 to the airiness of its appearance. On the whole, 

 it seems to have been formed by Flora in her 

 most fantastic humour, and displays a graceful 

 though rustic negligence not exceeded by any 

 flower on the parterre. 



The Columbine sends up stems three feet in 

 height, therefore care should be taken not to 

 plant it before dwarf flowers. It may be planted 

 in the shrubbery with good effect to succeed the 



