72 RANUNCULUS. No. 80. 



cidedlj useful in tumors, malignant ulcers, and chronic 

 indurated spellings, acting as a topical stimulant, and 

 sometimes thej vesicate j but utterly useless in cancer 

 and scrofula, for which some empirics have employed 

 them* Both a cataplasm and the decoction must be used 

 for these external diseases. An obstinate cure of tinea 

 capitis was cured by an ointment of an unguent made 

 with the leaves. The Indian tribes of Canada and Mis- 

 souri esteem highly these plants ; they are called Paignt 

 and herbe a pisser in Canada. They are used chiefly for 

 ^avel and retention of urine, rheumatism and fevers. 

 They die urine of a greenish black color. The exter- 

 nal application commonly produces redness, vesication, 

 and desquamation of the skin. A drench of the leaves 

 is used in veterinary, for the disease of horses unable 

 to stale. 



Tlie P. rotundifolia^ P, elliptica^ and P. imiflora^ are 

 called vulgarly Wild Lettuce^ Roimdleaf^ and Uonsump- 

 tion Weed. They possess some of the above properties, 

 but in a much less degree. The Indians and empirics 

 employ them as sudorific, astringent, anodyne, ana ner- 

 vine, m diseases of the breast^ colds, wounds, ophthal- 

 mia, bad humours, weak nerves, and externally as blis- 

 ters. 



No. 80. RANUNCULUS ACRIS. 



Names. Acrid Crowfoot. Fr. Renoncute apre. Vid- 

 gar. Buttercups, Yellow Weed, Blister Weed, Pilewort, 

 Burwort, MeadowBloom, Yellows, &c. 



Classif. Nat. Order of Ranunculaceous. Polyandria 



Genus Ranunculus. Calyx five leaved. Five petals, 

 with a scale or pit at the base. Many stamina. Many 

 pistils and seeds, united in ahead. 



Sp. Ranunculus acris. L. Pubescent, stem multiflore, 

 erect, branched j leaves triparted, segments laciniate 

 acute, upper ones linear j peduncles not sulcated. calyx 



spreading, hairy. . "^ 



