EANUIfCtrLACE^. 65 



Stem scarcely exceeding the leaves, bearing usually 2, 3, or 4 large, drooping 

 flowers, of a pale yellowish-green, and at each ramification a sessile leaf; 

 much less divided than the radical ones, and the segments usually digitate. 



In pastures and thickets, especially in calcareous soUs, and about old 

 walls and ruins in western and central Europe, but not extending to the 

 eastern frontier, nor far to the north. Recorded from many parts of Eng- 

 land, but in most cases introduced. It may however be really indigenous 

 in some of the southern and eastern comities. Fl. early spring. 



2. Fetid Hellebore. Helleborus fcetidus, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 613. £ear's-foot.) 



Lower leaves not all radical, but mostly raised on the short perennial base 

 of the stems, forming a larger and thicker tuft than in the green H., their 

 segments narrower, less toothed, stiffer, and more shining, their outer lobes 

 at a less distance from the central ones. Flower-stem above a foot high, 

 with a large, close panicle of drooping flowers, of a pale green, often tinged 

 with purple, the cojicave sepals giving them a globular form. Bracts at the 

 ramifications of the panicle ovate and entire, or shortly two-lobed at the 

 summit. 



lu stony places, chiefly in limestone districts, in southern Europe, extend- 

 ing here and there into central Europe, but neither a northern nor an east- 

 em plant. It has been found in several parts of England, and said to be 

 really wild in Hampshfre, but, like the last, is in most cases an introduced 

 plant. Fl. early spring. 



X. columbine:, aquilegia. 



Perennial herbs, with the leaves chiefly radical, temately divided, with 

 distinct stalked segments or leaflets. Sepals 5, coloured. Petals 5, each 

 terminating below in a horn-shaped spur, projecting below the calyx. Sta- 

 mens numerous. Carpels 5, each with several seeds. 



A small but very distinct genus, widely spread over the temperate regions 

 of the northern hemisphere, especially in mountain districts, in the new as 

 well as in the old world. 



1. Common Columbine. Aquilegia vulgaris, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 297.) 



Radical and lower leaves in a large tuft, each with a long stalk, once, 

 twice, or even three times temately divided, the segments broad, 3-lobed 

 and creuate, of a glaucous-green, glabrous, or with a few hairs underneath. 

 Flower-stem li to 2 feet or more high, bearing a loose panicle with a few 

 leaves at its ramifications much less divided than the lower ones. Flowers 

 large, drooping, blue, or of a duU purple. 



In coppices and open woods in central and southern Europe and central 

 Asia, extending northwards into Scandinavia. In Britain, often introduced, 

 but now not uncommon, and believed to be really indigenous in several 

 counties of England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. early summer. 

 In our gardens it sjjorta much in the forms and colours assumed by the 

 flowers. 



The Canada C. (A. canadensis), and some other exotic species, are occa- 

 sionally cultivated in our flower-gardens. 



e 2 



