In your second picture: R3, D1 (a zener) and C2 essentially form a conventional -1.25 zener voltage regulator, with the -1.25V output at the D1/R3 junction.
R1/R2 and the LM317 are the normal lm317 regulator, with the "adjust" input biased to -1.25V instead of ground. offsetting the normal 1.25V regulation point of the 317. (which tries to make sure that Vout is "Adjust+1.25V")