8o 



Flowers of May. 



last few days, which no one who sees it could think of omitring. It is a 

 perennial, — a columbine called by botanists Aquilegia glandulosa. Its 

 blooming season is far in advance of that of its kindred. It is of low and 

 modest growth, its tufts of delicate leaves seldom rising more than a hand's- 

 breadth from the earth ; and the flower-stalk which they send up is from a 

 foot to a foot and a half high. At its top it bears one, two, three, or half 



a dozen superb flowers, in shape like stars, from two to four inches in 

 width, the centre white, and the points bright blue. There is not on the 

 whole list of perennials a more delicate or beautiful flower. The strengdi 



