CHAP. I.J THE GENUS RANUNCULUS. 15 



mantle thrown over the water. I was curious 

 to know what they were, and having got one 

 with some difficulty, and by the help of my 

 parasol, I began to examine it botanically. The 

 leaves at first told me nothing as to the genus, 

 for the upper ones were nearly round, and only 

 slightly cut into three lobes, while the lower ones 

 were almost as much divided as fennel ; but on 

 examining them closely, I found their stalks 

 sheathed the stem at the base. This gave me 

 the first idea of the plant being a Ranunculus, 

 for I remembered the leaves of that genus were 

 stem-clasping. I then looked at the plant again, 

 and wondered at my own stupidity in not having 

 before observed its resemblance to the genus. 

 There was the cup-shaped flower-of five petals, 

 the green calyx of five sepals, the numerous 

 stamens and carpels, the elevated receptacle, 

 and even the fine texture and glossy surface of 

 the petals. Nothing was different but the colour ; 

 and yet it was the want of the bright golden 

 yellow of the common buttercup, that prevented 

 me from even thinking of that genus, when pon- 

 dering on the name of my water-plant. I should 

 add, that I would not ask any help from Mr. 

 Loudon, but identified my plant myself on my 

 return home ; when, by comparing it with the 

 description in Hooker's British Flora, which 

 happened to be the first botanical work I had 



