40 THE CROWFOOT FAMILY. 



one of its sepals spurred, (PI. II. 2. c. s.) and two of the 

 four petals have appendages included within the spur. 

 Here is a wonderful arrangement ! for what purpose 

 we know not, but probably, these appendages to the 

 petals, contain nectar, necessary for nourishing the 

 ovules ; and are therefore thus carefully protected in 

 the spur of the sepal, from the reach of any insect. 

 Its name Delphinium, is from Dolphin ; the shape of 

 the upper sepal, and also, of the Flower-bud, resem- 

 bling the head of the Dolphin. 



" The MONK'S-HOOD, or " Wolf's-bane," (Aco- 

 nitum), so dreaded for its poisonous qualities ; (which 

 poison, we must remember is a valuable medicine,) 

 has a yet more curiously formed flower, than the two 

 last we have examined. Look beneath the upper 

 sepal ; (shaped like a helmet or hood) and there you 

 will find two petals, or nectaries on long stalks of 

 such elegant form as to give them the name of 

 " Venus' Doves." PI. II. 3. M. 



The name Aconitum, is from Acone, in Bithynia, 

 or rather from the Greek word for ' dart,' from its 

 having been used, long ago, to poison darts with. 



THE P^EONY is very rare wild, but often to be 

 met with in gardens. Open its large Follicles before 

 they are ripe ; examine them and the seeds, through 



