PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
57 
Both the English and the Latin names are descriptive of the 
plant. Columbine, or the Dove-plant, calls our attention to 
the “ resemblance of its nectaries to the heads of pigeons in a 
ring round a dish, a favourite device of ancient artists ” (Dr. 
Prior); or to “ the figure of a hovering dove with expanded 
wings, which we obtain by pulling off a single petal with its 
attached sepals ” (Lady Wilkinson); though it may also have 
had some reference to the colour, as the word is used by 
Chaucer— 
<l Come forth now with thin eyghen Columbine.” 
The Marchaundes Tale, 190. 
The Latin name, Aquilegia , is generally supposed to come 
from aquilegus , a water-collector, alluding to the water-holding 
powers of the flower; it may, however, be derived from aquila , 
an eagle, but this seems more doubtful. 
As a favourite garden flower, the Columbine found its way 
into heraldic blazonry. “ It occurs in the crest of the old 
Barons Grey of Vitten, as may be seen in the garter coat of 
William Grey of Vitten (Camden Society, 1847), and is thus 
described in the Painter’s bill for the ceremonial of the funeral 
of William Lord Grey of Vitten (MS. Coll, of Arms, i. 13, fob 
35a): “ Item, his creste with the favron, or, sette on a lefte- 
hande glove, argent, out thereof issuyinge, caste over threade, 
a braunch of Collobyns, blue, the stalk vert.” Gwillim also 
enumerates the Columbine among his “ Coronary Herbs,” as 
follows : “ He beareth argent, a chevron sable between three 
Columbines slipped proper, by the name of Hall of Coventry. 
The Columbine is pleasing to the eye, as well in respect of the 
seemly (and not vulgar) shape as in regard of the azury colour 
thereof, and is holden to be very medicinable for the dissolving 
of imposthumations or swellings in the throat.” 
As a garden plant the Columbine still holds a favourite 
place. Hardy, handsome, and easy of cultivation, it commends 
itself to the most ornamental as well as to the cottage garden, 
and there are so many different sorts (both species and varieties) 
that all tastes may be suited. Of the common species. (A. mil - 
