Nat. Ord. Ra>unculace.b, 



EOCK COLUMBINE. 



Aqutlegia Canadensis. 





"The graceful Columbine all blushing red, 

 Bends to the earth her crown 

 Of honey-laden bells." 



HIS graceful flower enlivens us all through the months of 

 3ilay and June by its brilliant blossoms of deep red and 

 golden yellow. 



In general outline the Wild Columbine resembles its 

 cultivated sisters of the garden, but is more light and airy from its 

 nodding habit. The plant throws up many tall slender stalks from 

 its centre, furnished with leafy bracts, from which spring other light 

 stems terminated by little pedicels, each bearing a large drooping 

 flower and bud which open in succession. v , 



The flower consists of five red sepals and five red petals; the 

 latter are hollowed trumpet-like at the mouth, ascending ; they form 

 narrow tubes, which are terminated by little round knobs filled with 

 honey. The delicate thready pedicels on which the blossom hangs 

 cause it to droop down and thus throw up the honey bearing tubes 

 of the petals ; the little balls forming a pretty sort of floral coronet 

 at the junction with the stalk. 



