THE "FLOWER INSCRIBED WITH WOE."
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In an edition of Milton's "Lycidas " lately published . by Messrs. Blackie I gave what I consider to be rather strong grounds for believing the " flower inscribed with woe " (i.e., the ancient iizimOos) to be the larkspur (Delphinium Ajacis). Correspondents inform me that they have examined larkspurs growing in English gardens and have been disappointed by not discovering the " AIAI" marks. Perhaps you will kindly allow me to suggest that possibly the larkspur examined by them was some cultivated variety of the Consolida, which grows wild in these parts, and on which I myself have also failed to find the marks in question. Or possibly there may be English varieties of the Ajacis which do not possess these marks. I can only say that the larkspur commonly to be found in Swiss gardens is the Delphinium Ajacis (a native of Southern Europe, said to be found sometimes " escaped " in England), and that I have never failed to discover the " ALLI" or " IAI " on its petal.—I am, Sir, &o.,
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