many exceedingly long and stout fibres, scarcely divided 
but at or near the extremity, with small, hair-like radicles, 
and bearing, above, one or two short stems, scarcely a 
finger’s length in height, erect, terete, rather stout, gla- 
brous. Leaves few ; one or two lower ones petioled, the 
rest (generally two) sessile, orbiculari-cordate in their cir- 
cumscription, glabrous, deeply divided into three oblongo- 
cuneate, obtuse lobes, often again bifid, and at the extre- 
mity, inciso-serrate, nerved, dark green, paler beneath : 
petiole flat above, sheathing, and purplish at the base. The 
uppermost leaf (or bractea) besides being sessile, has about 
five linear, entire, acute lobes. Peduncle terminal, solitary, 
single-flowered, terete, clothed with appressed hairs. Calyx 
of five, patent, concave, ovato-lanceolate, acute, yellow- 
green leaves, slightly hairy with spreading hairs. Corolla 
large, of five broadly-obcordate, very bright yellow petals, 
glossy above, paler beneath, and opaque. Scale small, 
with a pore above. Germens numerous, collected into a 
rounded head ; style nearly of the same length, recurved, 
yellow. 
Ranuncutvs montanus is a native of Alpine pastures in 
various parts of the South of Europe, from those of Car- 
pathia to the Italian and Pyrenean chains. But it is lia- 
ble to considerable variation in size and hairiness, and 
Jacquin has devoted two plates to its different appearances. 
ScHLECHTENDAL unites with it the R. Villarsii of De Can- 
DOLLE, and observes how closely allied to it is R. Gowani of 
ILLDENOW. 
_ It isa very handsome species, and well worthy of cultiva- 
tion in every collection of hardy, and especially Alpine 
plants, flowering in April and May if slightly protected 
from the severity of the winter frosts, and increasing rapid- 
ly by its curious roots. The colour of the flower is 4 par- 
ticularly bright yellow, and the upper side is quite glossy. 
ee 
Fig. 1. Petal. 2, Calyx and Stamens. 3. One of the Pistils—Magnified. 
