CHAP. I.] RANU^XULACE^. 239 



CHAPTER I. 



PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS — DICOTYLEDONS — 1. DICHLAMYDE.E. 

 § I. — THALAMIFLORS. 



Ix all the plants contained in this chapter 

 the receptacle is a fleshy substance called the 

 thalamus, or disk, which is surrounded by the 

 calyx, and out of which the carpels or seed- 

 vessels, the stamens, and the petals, all grow 

 separately from each other. Sixty-five orders 

 are included in this division, but I shall only 

 describe those which contain plants which have 

 been introduced into Britain, except where the 

 orders chance to contain plants well known 

 in commerce. 



ORDER I.— RANUNCULACEiE. 



The plants belonging to this order are known 

 by their numerous stamens, the anthers of which 

 burst outwardly; by their carpels growing close 

 together without adhering, except in one or 

 two instances; and by the stem-clasping petioles 

 of their leaves, which are generally deeply cut. 

 The flowers when regular have five petals and 

 five sepals, but they differ widely in shape, and 

 the calyx of several of them is coloured so 

 as to resemble a corolla. The seeds are fre- 



