176 



THE CROWFOOT FAMILY. 



iLs united petals two marks said to be in imitation of ilie letters, A. and I. 

 The legend in connection with this circumstance is that the plant sprang up 

 where the blood of Ajax or Aiax touched the ground, he having in chagrin 

 slain himself after the Greeks had awarded the armour of Achilles to 



Ulysses. 



TRAILING WOLFSBANE. 



^■iLonituiii rccliiidimn. 



TIME OF BLOOM 



July, A ugust. 



Flikvcrs : irregular; growing on puhescent peduncles in loose axillary and termi- 

 nal racemes, or panicles. Sepals : five, the upper one forming a conic-shaped hel- 

 met; the uvo lateral ones rounded and [artiy concealed within the upper one ; the 

 lower ones, oblong. Petals : projected backward in the helmet as a sort of spur. 

 Stamens: numerous. Leaves: alternate; with long petioles; reniform ; cordate 

 at the base and palmately divided into three to seven ]K)inted lobes which are 

 again cleft and toothed; thick: tlaik green above, lighter below and covered with 

 fine hairs. Stttii : two to eight feet long; trailing; leafy. 



Among the flowers that run riot over the Alleghanies, this one is seen 

 bv the borders of streams twining its tender stems in and out and spread- 

 ing its curious flowers. They are not nearly so pretty as those of the wild 

 monkshood nor do they seem to be so well known. And although the plant 

 is possessed of medicinal properties, it is not much utilised in that way. 

 Its roots are poisonous but their reputation is altogether much less alarming 

 than that of the European species. 



A. iincinatioii, wild monkshood or friar's cap, bears the beautiful pur- 

 plish blue flowers which grow on slender, curved pedicels and whose quaint 

 shape has given rise to so many fancies and legends. Their slightly beaked 

 and conic helmet is indeed a remarkable structure, while the side petals 

 look very much like chin tabs. 



Aconitii'ii micinnittin. 



