. FLORA AND THALIA, 73 



KING-CUP, OR MEADOW CROWFOOT. 

 {Ranunculus acris.) 



This is a perennial plant, and a native of mear 

 dows and moist pastures, flowering in June and 

 July ; on being applied to the skin it excites itching, 

 redness, and inflammation, and even produces blis- 

 ters ; on being chewed it corrodes the tongue, and if 

 taken into the stomach brings on all the deleterious 

 efl[ects of an acrid poison. Mr. Curtis observes that 

 even pulling up this plant and carrying it some little 

 distance, excited considerable inflammation in the 

 palm of the hand in which it was carried ; but the 

 acrimonious quality of this plant is completely dis- 

 sipated by heat, and on its being thoroughly dried, 

 becomes perfectly bland. 



The flowers, have, however, a pleasing appearance 

 in our meadows, which they enamel with their bright 

 yellow cups. 



Class, PoLTAXURiA. Order, Poltgynia. 



10 



