192 BLUE TO PL'RPLE 



This plant is also called Monkshood, the reason wherefor 

 may readily be seen. 



D. Colninbiannin, or Blue Larkspur, is a smaller species 

 growing only from six to eighteen inches high and having few 

 leaves and fewer flowers on its hairy stems. Though usually 



" Blue as the heaven it gazes at," 



this Larkspur has sometimes white blossoms marked with 

 purple veins. 



EARLY BLUE VIOLET 



Viola cognata. A'iolet P^amily 



Acaulescent. Rootstocks short and thick. Leaves: long-petioled, cor- 

 date, with a broad sinus, the early ones reniform, the later ones acute or 

 acuminate, crenately toothed. Flowers: large; petals villous at base; 

 spur saccate. 



This large Early Violet is really of a true violet colour, 

 though it is commonly called "Blue"; it grows most luxuri- 

 antly in very moist ground, usually on the low banks of streams 

 or in the marshes, for it is there that 



" The purple violets lurk, 

 Witli all the lovely children of the shade." 



Poets have ever loved and praised the Violet. The Bard of 



Avon sang of how 



" Violets blue. 

 And lady-smocks all silver white, 

 And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue 

 Do paint the meadows with delight " ; 



later causing Oberon to relate : 



" I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, 

 Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows." 



Milton told of the 



" X'iolet embroidered \ ale " ; 



