92 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



is not a perfect perennial, as it is apt to die out every few 

 years. The varieties may be propagated from cuttings or 

 divisions of the root. It is raised abundantly from seed, flower- 

 ing the first year in autumn ; but not so strong as the second 

 year. Many beautiful varieties are in cultivation. It flour- 

 ishes best in a dry, loamy soil, and is in flower in June or 

 July. There is a beautiful Antirrhinum which grows pro- 

 fusely by the road-side ; the flowers yellow and orange : A. li- 

 naria, or Yellow Toad Flax. This would be desirable for the 

 garden, were it not for its weedy propensity of running about 

 the ground where it is not wanted. 



AQUILEGIA. 



Columbine. 



Aquilegia, from aquila, an eagle. The inverted spurs of the 

 flower have been likened to the talons of a bird of prey. 



A. vulgaris, and its varieties, are too well known to require 

 description. Some of them are very beautiful, and all interest- 

 ing when planted in beds or masses ; they are of every shade 

 of blue, purple, white, reddish-brown, striped or variegated, 

 with single, semi-double, and full-double flowers. In bloom in 

 May and June ; two feet high. Propagated from seed, or the 

 choice varieties by divisions of the roots. 



A. Canadense is one of the finest species ; indigenous ; com- 

 mon in rocky situations ; flowering early in May. It has pen- 

 dulous scarlet flowers. I have seen a variety with pure white 

 flowers, and undertook to transfer it to my garden, but the root 

 was wedged into a seam in a rock, arid was broken off and 

 ruined in the attempt. Mr. Carter, formerly of the Botanic 

 Garden, had a straw-colored variety. This elegant vernal 

 flower is much improved when cultivated ; the stool increasing 

 in magnitude, throwing up many more stems, and the flowers 

 larger. If a little more attention could be given to its cultiva- 



