20 RANUNCULACE2E. 



likening its cluster of spurred petals to a fool's cap rather 

 than to a nest of young doves. He says 



" Then gather Roses for the bride, 

 Twine them in her bright hair ; 

 But ere the wreath be done oh let 

 The Columbine be there. 

 For rest ye sure that follies dwell 

 In many a heart that loveth well. 



" Gather ye Laurels for the brow 

 Of every prince of song 1 

 For all to whom philosophy 

 And wisdom do belong; 

 But ne'er forget to intertwine 

 A flower or two of Columbine. 



" Weave ye an armful of the plant, 

 Choosing the darkest flowers, 

 With that a wreath blood-dipped bring 

 The devastating powers, 

 Of warrior, conqueror, or chief; 

 Oh twine that full of Folly's leaf ! 



" And do ye ask me why this flower 

 So fit for every brow ? 

 Tell me but one where folly ne'er 

 Hath dwelt, nor dwell eth now, 

 And I will then the Laurel twine 

 Unmingled with the Columbine." 



The Monkshood and wild Larkspur are nearly allied to the 

 Columbine. Like it they have purple flowers, though the blue 

 predominates more in them and the violet in the Columbine. 

 The Monkshood has no calyx ; its upper petal is hooded, 

 hence its English name : and its two side petals are hairy on 

 the outside. My specimen was found in an old quarry near 

 Gravesend, and I saw it frequently in groves in Switzerland ; 

 but it can hardly be accounted a wild plant. It is very 

 poisonous, especially the roots, which sufficiently resemble 

 Horseradish for some fatal mistakes between them to have 

 occurred. A habit of one part of the root dying off and a 

 new part forming and throwing up branches causes the plant 

 to change its position perceptibly, so that in a few years it 

 has moved several inches. The seeds are accounted very 



