This wilde Larkes spurre hath smaller and shorter leaues, smaller and lower branches, and more thinly or sparsedly growing vpon them, then any of the former: the flowers likewise are neyther so large as any of the former, nor so many growing together, the cods likewise haue smaller seede, and is harder to grow in gardens then any of the former, the most vsuall colour hereof is a pale reddish or blush colour, yet sometimes they are found both white and blew, and sometimes mixt of blew and blush, variably disposed, as nature can when she listeth; but are much more rare.
4. Delphinium elatius flore simplici diuersorum colorum. Single vpright bearing Larkes heeles of many colours.
The difference betweene this and the last is, that the leaues of this are not fully so greene, nor so large; the stalkes grow vpright, to the height of a man, and sometimes higher, hauing some branches thereon, but fewer then the former, and standing likewise vpright, and not leaning downe as the former: the toppes of the stalkes are better stored with flowers then the other, being sometimes two foote long and aboue, of the same fashion, but not altogether so large, but of more diuers and seueral colours, as white, pale, blush, redde deeper or paler, ashcoloured, purple or violet, and of an ouerworne blewish purple, or iron colour: for of all these we haue simple, without any mixture or spot: but we haue other sorts, among the simple colours, that rise from the same seede, and will haue flowers that wil be halfe white, and halfe blush or purple, or one leafe white, and another blush or purple, or else variably mixed and spotted: the seede and seede vessels are like the former but larger and harder.
5. Delphinium elatius flore pleno diuersorum colorum. Double vpright Larkes heeles of many colours.
These double Larkes heeles cannot bee knowne from the single of the same kinde, vntill they come towards flowring; for there appeare many flowers vpon the stalkes, in the same manner, and of as many colours almost as of the single, except the party coloured, which stand like little double Roses, layd or spread broade open, as the Rose Colombine without any heeles behinde them, very delightfull to behold, consisting of many small leaues growing together, and after they are fallen there come vp in their places three or foure small cods set together, wherein is contained here and there (for all are not full of seede, as the single kindes) blacke seede, like vnto all the rest, but smaller, which being sowen will bring plants that will beare both single and double flowers againe, and it often happeneth, that it variably altereth in colours from it owne sowing: for none of them hold constantly his owne colour, (so farre as euer I could obserue) but fall into others; as nature pleaseth.
6. Delphinium Hispanicum paruum. Spanish wilde Larkes spurres.
This small Larkes spurre of Spaine, hath diuers long and broad leaues next the ground, cut-in on both sides, somewhat like vnto the leafe of a Scabious, or rather that kinde of Stœbe, which Lobel calleth Crupina, for it doth somewhat neerly resemble the same, but that this is smooth on the edges, and not indented besides the cuts, as the Crupina is, being of a whitish greene colour, and somewhat smooth and soft in handling: among the leaues riseth vp a whitish greene stalke, hauing many smaller leaues vpon it that grow belowe, but not diuided, branching out into many small stalkes, bearing flowers like vnto the wilde Larkes heeles, but smaller, and of a bleake blewish colour, which being past, there come vp two or three small cods ioyned together, wherein is blacke seede, smaller and rounder then any of the former: the roote is small and thready, quickly perishing with the first cold that ouertaketh the plant.
The Place.
The greatest or first wilde kindes growe among corne in many countries beyond the Seas, and where corne hath beene sowne, and for his beauty brought and nourished in our Gardens: the lesser wilde kinde in some fields of our owne Country. The Spanish kinde likewise in the like places, which I had among many seedes that Guillaume Boel brought mee out of Spaine. The first double and single haue been common for many yeares in all countries of this Land, but the tall or vpright single kindes haue been entertained but of late yeares. The double kindes are more rare.