CLASS POLYANDRIA. 



123 



famished with a 5-leaved calyx ; and 5 petals with a 

 nectariferous pore, and small scale at their base, on the 

 inside. The capsules or carpels are numerous, ovate, 

 and mucronated with the remaining stigma, contain- 

 ing 1 seed, but, like a nut, not opening. The species 

 of this genus are numerous, and many of them com- 

 mon in every field and lane. They have generally 

 deeply and much divided leaves ; and the yellow, cup- 

 shaped flowers appear internally as if varnished. The 

 Persian Ranunculus, R. asiaticus, with its numerous 

 and various colored double flowering varieties, is one 

 of the greatest ornaments of the garden, presenting 

 brilliant colored flowers, nearly as large as roses, and 

 coming out at an early season of the year. The 

 roots of these in a dry state, consisting of little tufts 

 of cylindric tubers, are commonly imported from 

 Holland, the great mart of the florist. 



The largest flowered plant in America is the Ne- 

 lumbium, belonging to the Nymph.eaceje ; an aquatic 

 of the southern and western states, growing also 

 near Philadelphia, readily known even by its large 

 leaves, which are perfectly orbicular and peltate, and 

 either float or rise out of the water. The pedun- 

 cles always appear above the surface, each bearing 

 a large, yellowish white flower, having a petaloid, 4 

 to 6-leaved calyx ; and many concave petals. The 

 pericarps or nuts, like acorns, each containing 1 seed, 

 are entirely immersed to the summit in a top-shaped, 

 or turbinate spongy receptacle. Of this genus there 

 are also 1 or 2 other species in India and China ; 

 that of India scarcely differing from the N. luteum of 

 this country in any thing but the fine rose color of its 

 flowers, and more scabrous peduncles. 



