178 FLORA HISTORICA. 



but the variety most esteemed is of a fine red colour, 

 spotted with yellow, called l\irban Dore, Golden 

 Turban. As these kinds of Ranunculuses are less 

 susceptible of frost than those of Persia, the roots 

 are generally left in the earth throughout the year; 

 but this is a bad practice, as when the soil or season 

 is wet, they are sure to return to their natural red 

 colour, by which means the most beautiful varieties 

 are frequently lost. 



The Ranunculus has not what is generally termed 

 either a palmated or tuberous root, but consists of 

 a fasciculus of tubers nearly approaching to the 

 character of the Palmatum. When the plant be- 

 gins to vegetate, there grows out of the part which 

 surrounds the eye many thin white threads, that are 

 of equal dimensions all their length till they have 

 finished their growth ; they then swell out at the 

 part adhering to the trunk, and form one or more 

 claws above the old one, which, after having fur- 

 nished the new ones with the nutritive juices which 

 it contained, or enabled them to procure strength, 

 the old tubers are decomposed, and consequently 

 vegetate but one year, after the manner of many 

 bulbs, or in a similar way to the buds of trees which 

 throw out branches that form other buds, whilst 

 the original is no more. 



The Ranunculus varies in its colours even more 

 than the Tulip, running from a black down to white 



