The flowers of the Monkshood are usually deep purple-blue, but yellowish white ones are often found. The tall plants, 4-8 ft. high, grow in mountain meadows and along streams at 6000-12000 ft., and bloom from early July to late August. The Aconite disguises its relation to the buttercups by having irregular sepals, developed by insect visitors in search of nectar. The two nectaries are underneath and at the base of the cowl-shaped upper sepal which gives the plant its name. In seeking nectar, the bees crawl over the group of stamens and stigmas and in so doing either collect or deposit the pollen which clings to their legs and abdomens. The Monkshood is frequently cultivated in gardens and some of the species furnish a powerful drug, aconite, used in medicine. All are poisonous and often produce fatal results among stock when feed is scarce. Blue Columbine Aquilegia coerulea Plate 1, fig. 2 This Columbine varies in color through several shades of blue and may rarely be white. It is the state flower of Colorado, growing in spruce and aspen woods, or in mountain meadows at 6500-12000 ft. It is usually 2-3 ft. high and blossoms from early summer to midsummer. Like the Monkshood and Larkspur, the columbines also belong to the group of irregular buttercups. The nectar is contained in the swollen tips of the petals. Pollination is effected by long-nosed bees which cling to the petals while inserting the proboscis up the spur and at the same time touch the group of pendant stamens with the underside of the body. Short-nosed bees are unable to get at the nectar in this way and steal the honey by biting holes in the tips of the spurs. The columbines make beautiful garden plants and the Blue Columbine as well as one or two other native species is cultivated. The ordinary columbine of the garden, however, belongs to the European _Aquilegia vulgaris_. The name “Aquilegia” is derived from the Latin “aquila,” eagle, and probably refers to the resemblance of the spurred petals to eagles’ talons. Red Columbine Aquilegia canadensis Plate 1, fig. 3 The blossoms of this plant are bright red, usually more or less tinged with yellow. It is 1-2 ft. tall, grows on wooded mountain-sides at 7500-11000 ft. and blooms in July and August. The mountain form has smaller, more brightly colored flowers than the eastern plant. Blue Larkspur Delphinium scopulorum Plate 1, fig. 4