(Crowfoot jTamti^. 



Columbine. Aquilegia Canadensis. 



Found growing in the clefts of rocks, on sunlit heights, and along 

 banks, during May or June. 



The height of the stalk varies from 6 to 18 inches, and it branches 

 widely; it is small, slightly enlarged at the joints, and somewhat 

 square in shape, sometimes rough to the touch; the color is green, 

 strongly tinged with purple-red. 



The lower leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets, their margins 

 round-toothed ; the upper leaves are oval, or sometimes divided, their 

 margins frequently entire ; the texture is very thin and fine ; the color 

 light green. They are set on long, slender stems, or at the junction of 

 the branches. 



The flower varies a good deal in size ; it consists of 5 tubular 

 petals .that are prolonged into slender spurs with rounded tips ; the 

 calyx is 5-parted, the divisions of a long oval shape, which curve 

 closely between the spurs, altei'nating with the tubes. The color of 

 the tubes is a pure and lovely yellow, which becomes, by a beautiful 

 gradation, a deep red in the spurs, their tips even tending toward 

 crimson ; the calyx is orange-red, running to yellow-green at the stem ; 

 the many long stamens hanging in a central tassel are very yellow. 

 The flower nods on the end of a curved stem, with its spurs uppermost. 



In early spring the plant consists of a thick tuft of leaves. While 

 still very small the bud begins to turn from pale green to reddish. In 

 maturity the seed-pods become erect. The singular elegance of this 

 plant is only too well appreciated, for human greed plucks it in 

 reckless handfuls, without regard to its possible extinction. 



