406 NOTE ON RANUNCULUS AURICOMUS L. 



"2. E. nemorosa : [sylvestris] caule elougato ramosissimo, foliis 

 glabris subnitidis ovatis argute serratis. Bull, herb, t. 233 (in 

 sylvis, nemoribus, pratisque Jun. Aug.)," So that his description 

 agrees and he quotes BulUard herb. t. 238. The date of the Ist 

 ed. of Fl. Mosq. is 1812, but only two copies exist, the rest having 

 been destroyed by fire. 



(To be continued.) 



NOTE ON KANUNCULUS AUEICOMUS L. 

 By W. p. Winter. 



While making some observations on the frequency of the 

 reduction in the number of petals in Eanunculus aiuicomus, the 

 following facts came under my notice. 



During this spring altogether 308 specimens were examined 

 from seven localities near Cheltenham. These could obviously be 

 arranged in two groups, for 204 of them, coming from three 

 localities, had no petals, but their sepals were strongly arched, 

 green near the centre line and yellow near the edges. The re- 

 maining 104, from four other and different districts, gave the 

 results following : — 



A. The sepals were frequently fringed, becoming at the same 

 time less hairy at the back and much more petaloid, while the 

 edges were quite wavy. This fringe was frequently developed on 

 one side only, and was usually of such a character and in such a 

 position as to replace the petals which were absent. 



B. The petals, when present, exhibited all gradations between 

 large glossy laminae, having a small pit as a nectary much as in 

 Ranunculus sceleratus, and yellow tubular bodies with the nectary 

 enclosed in the base. The margins of the pitted nectary appeared 

 to retain the power of intercalary growth, sometimes becoming ex- 

 tended on one side only, while in some instances the ventral margin 

 also grew out, so forming complete tubes. In only one case was a 

 double nectary found. 



C. The fringing of the sepals was correlated with the modification 

 or abortion of the petals. For the purpose of examination the 104 

 specimens were separated into group a with three or more sepals 

 fringed, and group b with two or less sepals fringed. 



In group A 79 specimens occurred. These would normally 

 have 395 sepals and 395 petals. 304 sepals were distinctly fringed, 

 while of the petals 263 were absent, 84 distinctly tubular, and only 

 48 normal and complete. 



In group B were 25 specimens. Those would normally have 

 125 sepals and 125 petals. Of the sepals 43 were fringed, while of 

 the petals 60 were absent, 23 tubular, and 42 complete. 



Or taking percentages : — 



In group A 77 per cent, of the sepals were fringed, and 90 per 

 cent, of the petals were aborted. 



