SWEET VIOLET 17 
Columbine is from the Latin codeméa, pigeon, in allusion to the 
shape of the flower. Aguwz/egza, a name given by Tragus, is from 
aguida, an eagle, the spur of the corolla being like an eagle’s claw. 
Vulgarzs means common, though it is rather rare. Its English names 
are Blue Starry, Boots-and-shoes, Capon’s-feather, Capon’s-tail, 
Cock’s-foot, Colourbine, Cullavine, Culverkeys, Culverwort, Curran- 
bine, Dove’s-foot, Granny's Night-cap, Hawk’s-feet, Hen and 
Chickens, Lady’s Shoes, 
Lady's Slippers, Snapdragon, 
Sowdwort, Two Faces under 
a Hat. 
Culverkeys is given in 
allusion to the shape, like a 
door or culver, cufver being 
columbe, and the little flowerets 
little keys (compare also Cul- 
verwort). It was once known 
as Hlerba leonis, and believed 
to be the lion’s favourite plant. 
In the fourteenth century 
it was recommended as .a 
remedy for quinsy. Then a 
tincture of it was employed 
to strengthen the gums. The 
plant has long been cultivated Se 
in the garden, and is a de- Gouimnunetaguderendaiane 1) 
lightful flower. 
ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS :— 
13. Aguilegia vulgaris, L.—Stem with few leaves, leaf biternate, 
lobed, flower blue or white, 5 sepals petaloid, spur of petal incurved 
containing honey, limb shorter than stamens, capsule a follicle, hairy. 
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata, L.) 
This plant has not been discovered in any ancient deposits in which 
seeds of living plants are preserved. At the present day it is found in 
Europe, North Africa, North and West Asia, as far as the Himalayas. 
In Great Britain it is absent from Radnor, Cardigan, in S. Wales; in 
N. Wales it occurs only in Carnarvon, Flint, Denbigh, and Anglesea; 
in the Mersey province it is absent in Mid Lancs; and is found also in 
Scotland in Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Renfrew, Peebles, Selkirk, Rox- 
Vou, IIT. 32 
