34 



DELPHINIUM DIVARICATUM. 



petals of Consolida are represented in English Botany ; and also in the colour of 

 the flower, which approaches the purple of puniceum rather than the usual colour 

 of the genus. 



Of the other annual species of Delphinium, two are to be found in almost every 

 garden; D. Ajacis, or rocket; and D. consolida, or field larkspur. Of the first 

 there are many beautiful double varieties of all colours ; the merits of which are 

 estimated by florists according as they are more or less dwarf in their mode of 

 growth ; and produce flowers more or less double. All tall-growing, as well as 

 single-flowered plants are generally weeded out, in order to insure genuine seeds. 

 The tall, branching larkspurs are also of various colours, some of which produce 

 double flowers, but have not obtained so much notice from florists. Both should 

 be sown where they are to remain ; a portion in August for early, and a portion 

 in March for late flowering : covered with not more than half an inch of soil. 

 Plants of the dwarf rocket should be four inches apart ; the branching varieties 

 should be distant from nine inches to one foot. A rich soil grows them in the 

 greatest perfection. Can a reason be assigned why so many plants in Ranuncu- 

 lacem produce double flowers ? 



The natural order Ranunculacece consists of herbs (very rarely shrubs) with 

 alternate or opposite, much divided leaves ; the petiole of which is dilated at the 

 base, and forms a kind of sheath, which half embraces the stem. For the 

 essential botanical characters by which they are distinguished, we beg to refer our 

 readers to Lindley's Natural System of Botany. 



As regards the geographical distribution of the order, the largest proportion 

 of them is met with in Europe ; some are found in North America, some in South 

 America, and some in Asia. Very few are found in Africa, except on the shores 

 of the Mediterranean. In New Holland, according to De Candolle, 18 species 

 have been discovered. 



The genus Delphinium is divided by De Candolle into four sections ; the first 

 of which contains such species as have but one ovarium or seed-vessel, and four 

 petals united in one, as in our present plant. They are about twelve in number, 

 and are all annuals. 



Fig 1, 4 petals united ; 2, the capsule, which (as in all the species of De 

 CandohVs section consolida) is single. 



