212 PLANTS GROWING IN LIGHT SOIL. 



D. tricdrne, called also stagger-weed, is the dwarf larkspur 

 which brightens the open woods with its long, loose clusters of 

 bright blue or white flower. It effects a close soil and is 

 found mostly southward and westward from Pennsylvania. 

 The stem is from six to twelve inches high and smooth. The 

 leaves are deeply five-parted and the roots are tuberous. 



In common with nearly all the larkspurs, of which there are 

 over twenty-five species native to the United States, the plant 

 possesses poisonous properties, and is especially harmful to 

 cattle in April if they indulge too freely in its fresh, green 

 shoots. It is from this fact that it has derived its name of 

 stagger-weed. 



D. CaroHnianum, Carolina larkspur, Plate CX, has azure, pink 

 or white flowers that are somewhat smaller. It is a downy 

 plant, from one to three feet high. 



D. AJacis, with which we are familiar in old gardens, is simi- 

 lar to a hyacinth, and has flowers crowded in a long, close ra- 

 ceme. The spur is short and the pods very downy. On the 

 front of the united petals there are two marks which are sup- 

 posed to be the letters A. I. There is a pretty legend connected 

 with it. 



When Ajax and Ulysses presented themselves as claimants 

 for the armour of the treacherously slain Achilles, the Greeks 

 awarded it to Ulysses ; and by so doing placed wisdom before 

 valour. Ajax, on hearing the decision, slew himself, and from 

 the spot where his blood touched the ground a lovely flower 

 sprang up, bearing on its petals the two first letters of his name, 

 Ajax, or Aiai, which is the Greek for woe. 



DOWNY YELLOW VIOLET. {Plate CXXXV) 

 Viola pubescens. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Violet. Yellow^ veined with purple. Faintly fragrant. General. May. 



Flowers : solitary; growing on axillary flower-stalks. Leaves ■ usually two on 

 the stem ; broad ; on petioles ; serrate ; smaller, bract-like leaves below. Stem : 

 leafy above ; pubescent. 



This fair-hued little violet is one of the pleasantest sights 



