62 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. 
commenced their inroads within a few years, such 
as the Cnicus arvensis, improperly called Canuda 
thistle ; the Genista tinctoria or Dyer’s weed, Sc. 
—In return for these introductions, we have sent 
them the Erigeron Canadense, and the prolific 
families of Ambrosia and Amaranthus. 
No race of plants is more familiarly known 
than the Ranunculi. Of numerous species, both 
native and imported, which we possess; several 
resemble each other so nearly, as to pass with 
common observers for the same plant. The 
great similarity of their properties renders it 
almost unnecessary in a medical or economical 
point of view to distinguish them. I have selected 
the bulbous-rooted species, not because it is more 
active in its preperties than many others, but 
because it is one of the most common and best 
yore . : 
- The genus ihsoye to the class oiyenilbti 
pe order Polygynia. It is found in the natural 
orders Multisilique, Linn. and Ranunculacew, 
Juss. Its generic character is formed by a five 
leaved calyx ; five petals, with a melliferous pore 
at the base of each; the seeds naked. No genus 
can be more strictly natural than this. A general 
resemblance pervades the whole of the species, 
which indicates their consanguinity at sight. 
