326 HYPOPETALE®. 
ORDER LXXVII. 
RANUNCULACES. 
Cuaracters.—Herbs (seldom shrubs) with alternate, 
rarely opposite leaves, sometimes with stipules, generally 
much divided, and having the petiole dilated and almost 
sheathing ; calyr of fons 3 to 6 sepals, rarely persistent; — 
corolla of 5 or many hypogynous petals, occasionally irregu- 
lar ; stamens many, inserted under the pistils, anthers ad- 
_ vate; ovaries many, and quite distinct, placed on an enlarged 
receptacle, each with a short lateral style and 1-seeded ; oc- 
casionally the ovaries are united into 1 many-lobed and many- 
celled ovary; pericarps dry nuts or acheniums, or capsules 
aggregated together, distinct, or more or less united, or a 
berry; seed with a fleshy or horny albumen. 
Exampres.—Anemone, Buttercup or Crowfoot (Ranun- 
culus bulbosus), Monk’s-hood (Aconitum Napellus), Travel- 
ler’s-joy (Clematis Vitalba.) The leaves of Ranunculus Fi- 
caria (Pilewort or Lesser Celandine) are used as a pot-herb 
in some parts of France, and the seeds of Fennel-flower (Ni- 
gella sativa) were formerly used as a spice; but the plants 
in this family are in general dangerous, and always to be sus- 
posted: 
Mapseuaxs a. plants in this family are 
in general acrid and caustic, and some are even poisonous. 
These properties depend on a very volatile principle, residing 
‘in every part of the plant, and easily expelled by boiling, or 
even by desiccation. The leaves of Upright Meadow Crow- 
foot (Ranunculus acris), Lesser Spearwort (R. Fammula), 
