14 THE GENUS RANUNCULUS. [part i. 



which somewhat resemble the feet of a bird, and 

 hence the name of crowfoot is often apphed to 

 them. Others, such as the ojreater spearwort 

 (Ranunculus lingua)^ have long tongue-shaped 

 leaves. In all, the footstalks of the leaves are 

 somewhat folded round the stem at their base. 



Such of my readers as reside in the country 

 will find it very amusing to gather all the kinds 

 of crowfoot, buttercup, goldilocks, and spearwort, 

 they can find in the fields and lanes ; and after 

 having compared the flowers with the description 

 I have given, to try to find out the specific 

 names, by comparing the other particulars with 

 the descriptions in Hooker's_ or Lindley's 

 British Botany, or with the plates and descrip- 

 tions in the new edition of Sowerby's English 

 Botany. In a short time they will not want 

 these aids, but will be able to name the plants 

 at once, and to tell in what they differ from each 

 other by memory. I shall never forget the 

 pleasure I once had in finding out the name of 

 a plant myself. I happened to be waiting for 

 Mr. Loudon, (who had gone to examine some 

 new pines and firs,) in the pleasure-grounds of 

 a villa, just opposite a small pond, which was 

 covered by some white flowers that I did not 

 know. The flowers were small, but very beau- 

 tiful, and as they shone with almost a metaUic 

 lustre in the sun, they looked like a silvery 



