70 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. 
leaves of different species to my arm and hand, 
and worn them for a dozen hours, without feeling 
any particular sensation, or perceiving any visible 
effect. The rapid drying up of the moisture of 
the plant seemed to prevent it from acting upon 
the skin. I am inclined to believe, there is 
something in the action of these vegetables anal- 
ogous to that of the poisonous species of Rhus 
described in this work; which some individuals, 
but not all, are susceptible of. The extensive 
and ‘spreading inflammation, which they occa- 
sionally produce, resembles more the effect of 
these shrubs, than of ssi of the —" rube- 
facients or vesicants. | | 
» The burning sensation which the Ranunculi 
excite in the mouth when chewed, extends to 
the stomach if they are swallowed. Krapf states 
that a small portion of a leaf or flower of R. 
sceleratus, or two drops of the juice, excited 
acute pain in the stomach, and a sense of inflam. 
mation in the throat. He gave a large quantity 
of the juice to a dog, which brought on vomiting 
and great distress ; and.the animal being killed, 
was found with the stomach inflamed and con- 
tracted, and the pylorus hardly pervious. The 
same author informs us that dilution greatly 
diminishes the power of this fluid, so that half a 
