DELPHI NIUM TRIS'TE. 
SAD LARKSPUR. 
Order. 
TRIGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
RANUNCULACE^. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
Dahuria, 
2 feet. 
July, Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1819. 
No. 644. 
Delphinium is deduced from the Greek name of 
the Dolphin, see No. 29. 
This is a somewhat singular species of Larkspur, 
which may well have the appellation triste, or sad, 
applied to its blossoms. As an object of singular 
tint in the garden its flowers will be acceptable ; if 
they do not add brilliancy by direct means, they 
may assist in giving comparative splendour to 
other objects, and it is no mean portion of the real 
artist’s ability which he will devote to giving his 
picture efiect by contrasts, for as Sir Joshua 
Reynolds says ‘‘A. certain quantity of cold colours 
is necessary to give value and lustre to the warm 
colours.” Since none have more brilliant colours 
for their purpose than the florist, it is certain that 
the efiect of them may be heightened by judicious 
arrangement, although he may not be able to make 
a picture in nature qualified to carry away the prizes 
of the Royal Academy. 
Apart from all figure, we may make favourable 
mention of the sober coloured Delphinium, which 
is perfectly hardy, and may be grown in any com- 
mon soil, and divided for increase. 
Don’s Syst. Bot. 1, 54. 
Class. 
POLYANDRIA. 
