20 



AQUILEGIA GLANDULOSA. 



having spurs and a regular calyx. It contains about twenty species, thirteen of 

 which are enumerated by Professor De Candolle in his Prodromus, and the 

 remainder have been recorded in other works since his volume was published. 

 They are all hardy, herbaceous, perennial, and very ornamental plants ; amongst 

 which the present is very conspicuous for its beauty. It is nearly allied to 

 Aquilegia Alpina, Lin., from which it differs in its shorter spurs, in the lamina 

 of the nectary never being truncate, but chiefly in its more numerous ovaria. 



The geographical distribution of this genus extends over Europe, the north 

 of Asia, and the northern parts of America ; but as yet, we believe, none have 

 been found in Africa. Aquilegia vulgaris is found in England, as well as all 

 other parts of Europe. Although rare in England, we recollect gathering a 

 specimen two or three years ago amongst the ruins of Richard's Castle, Here- 

 fordshire, about three miles from Ludlow. A. viscosa appears to be peculiar to 

 Montpellier, A. alpina to Switzerland, A. pyrenaica to the Pyrenees, A. cana- 

 densis to America, and most of the other species, including the one now figured, 

 are peculiar to Siberia and the Altai Mountains. 



The medicinal properties of Aquilegia do not appear to have been ascertained 

 with any degree of accuracy ; De Candolle states them to be probably tonic, and 

 some of the species have accordingly been recommended for use, especially A. 

 vulgaris. We are informed, however, by Linnaeus, that it has proved fatal to 

 children. There is no doubt indeed that they possess more or less of the acrid 

 principles which are found generally in plants of the natural order to which they 

 belong, and ought consequently to be looked upon with suspicion. 



A. glandulosa requires a light deep, rich soil : it maybe increased by dividing 

 the roots, or propagated by seeds, (which frequently ripen), and make the best 

 plants when sown where they are to remain. 



The generic name, Aquilegia, is by some considered to be derived from the 

 Latin aquila, an eagle, in allusion to its nectaries ; by others, from the Latin 

 aqua, water, and lego, to gather, in consequence of the water collected in their 

 leaves: its specific name, glandulosa, from the Latin adjective, glandulosus, in 

 reference to the glandular hairs on the carpels. 



