52 



DELPHINIUM intermedium ; var. sapphirinum. 



Sapphire-Blue variable Larkspur. 



POLYANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 



Nat. ord. Ranunculace^e. 



DELPHINIUM. Bot. Reg. vol. U.fol. 1192. 



D. intermedium. Bot. Reg. fol. 1963. 



Var. sapphirinum ; foliis palmatis pilosis lobis oblongis incisis lateralibus basi 



approximatis, racemo denso floribusque pilosis, sepalis superioribus angus- 



tioribus. 



This variety is equal or perhaps superior to any hitherto 

 figured, in the intense rich blue of the flowers, which more- 

 over acquire something of the appearance to which the 

 name of " shot" is applied in silk manufactures, in conse- 

 quence of a light violet stain appearing in the middle and 

 on the back of each sepal. The petals are of the dull black 

 colour usual in this species. 



The accompanying figure was made in the Garden of the 

 Horticultural Society, where the variety has long been culti- 

 vated. It is not so tall as some of the kinds, more compact 

 in the arrangement of its flowers, and of striking beauty. 



All plants of this description are seen to the greatest ad- 

 vantage on the skirts of shrubberies, or on banks where it is 

 required to produce a wild and rough effect. If it can be 

 so contrived that their flowers are shaded during the day, 

 and brightly illuminated by the setting sun, or that they are 

 placed so as to droop over streams of water, where the fresh- 

 ness and moisture of the air prevents their rapid fading, a 

 brilliancy of colour is afforded by masses of them which we 

 shall in vain attempt to procure in any other way. As they 

 October, 183S. u 



