MONKSHOOD. 
21 
common British species called A. Millefolium roseum. 
It grows 1 to 3 feet high, and produces its flat trusses 
of soft rosy-pink flowers in summer. 
The Yarrows flourish in any well-drained garden 
soil, and are easily increased by dividing the root- 
stocks in spring. 
ACONITUM (Aconite; Monkshood). — Many species 
belong to this genus, and although they are ornamental 
in appearance, OAving to their deeply-divided leaves 
and erect trusses of peculiarly shaped floAvers, they 
are dangerous on account of their poisonous properties. 
The plants may be easily recognised when in blossom 
by means of the hooded or helmet-like upper segment 
of the flowers. The roots of many kinds are thick 
and fleshy, and in some cases have unfortunately been 
mistaken for Horse Radish. The plants flourish in 
ordinary garden soil, and may be planted in bold 
clumps in sunny spots in the shrubbery or rougher 
parts of the garden. Seeds are freely produced, but 
propagation by division of the rootstocks may also be 
effected m spring, after which the hands should be 
Avell washed. The following are the most ornamental 
Monkshoods for the garden : — A. Anthora, 1 to 2 feet 
high ; floAvers pale yellow ; July. A. autumnale, a 
fine species 3 feet high ; flowers bluish-purple, from 
July to November. A. Napellus is the common tuber- 
ous-rooted Monkshood found wild in parts of England. 
It groAvs 3 to 4 feet high, and has dark-blue flowers from 
July to September. There are many variations of it. 
A. Wilsoni, from Central China is a new species about 
6 feet high, with large panicles of pale bluish-purple 
blossoms, netted Avith darker veins. 
