AQUILEGIA CANADENSIS-WILD COLUMBINE, 



CLASS, POLYAXDRIA ; ORDER, PENTAGYNIA. 

 NATURAL ORDER, R VNUNCULACE.*. 



GEN. CHAR. Calyx none. Petals five. Nectaries five horned, 

 between the petals. Capsules five, distinct. SPEC. CHAR. Horns 

 straight. Stamens exsert. Leaves decompound. Growing fre- 

 quently in the crevices of rocks. 



Carrying out the idea that familiarity induces contempt, we arc 

 too apt to conceive that what can be had and seen at any time, is 

 worth but little, and give it in consequence about as much attention 

 as we suppose it's value entitles it to receive. How few among us 

 care to notice the wild flowers of our country ; not that they want 

 beauty, for did this come from a foreign clime no expense would be 

 spared to cherish and preserve it, but being so close to our homes it 

 is overlooked in consequence of that very nearness that should make 

 us love it the more. We are not alone in this respect. Gerard says 

 that the Goldenrod was formerly considered an excellent vulnerary ; 

 and the English imported it at half a crown an ounce. But since 

 it has been found in Hampstead wood, even as it were at this town's 

 end no man will give half a crown for a hundred weight of it. 



This genus of plants takes its name from the shape of its leaves, 

 which retain water (aqua, water, and lego, to gather.) We mention 

 this more particularly as we notice its derivation being given in a 



number of the botanies from Aquila an eagle. It is an herbaceous 

 H 



