THE COLUMBINE. 95 
together—are rare and delicate, but make no appeal to 
the casual eye. The showiest of the series are Aguileyiu 
Skinner’, a bold plant, rising a yard high, with red and 
yellow flowers; and Aquilegia truncata, about the same 
height, the flowers bright orange-scarlet. The Alpine 
columbine (4. Alpina} is a charming plant, the height 
about a foot, the flowers wholly blue, or with white 
centre. Although some of these are comparatively new, 
they belong properly to the “ old-fashioned” class, and 
are of the kind Clare had in his mind when he wove 
a garland such as the heart will not willingly let die. 
The tall topped lark-heels, feathered thick with flowers ; 
The woodbine, climbing o'er the door in bowers ; 
The London tufts of many a mottled hue ; 
The pale pink pea, and monkshood darkly blue ; 
The white and purple gillytlowers, that stay 
Lingering in blossom summer half away ; 
The single blood walls, of a luscious smell, 
Old-fashioned flowers which housewives loye so well; 
The columbines, stone blue, or deep night brown, 
“The shining pansy, trimmed with golden lace ; 
Their honey-comb lke blossoms hanging down ; 
Each cottage garden’s fond adopted child, 
Though heaths still claim them, where they yet grow wild; 
With marjoram knots, sweet brier, and ribbon grass, 
And lavender, the choice of every lass.” 
During the past two or three years a new and very 
welcome delight has been given to the fower-loving public 
in the exhibition of new varieties of columbines, by those 
eminent collectors and cultivators of rare plants, Messrs. 
Veitch and Son of Chelsea. At festival meetings of the Royal 
Horticultural and Royal Botanic Societies these new types 
have been presented in large groups, tastefully arranged, 
and have taken captive the eyes of many visitors, who 
