54 ORD. XXVI. Multisilique. DIOSMA CRENATA. 
Holland, for inflammatory affections of the membranes, particularly of the 
urethra, bladder, prostate gland,* rectum, &e. 
Off. Prep.—Inf. Diosmz crenate. D. 
* It is probable the Dutch derived their knowledge of the medicinal properties of this 
plant from the natives of the Cape, who, we are told, are partial to a spirit distilled from 
its leaves, in the dregs of wine, which they regard as a sovereign remedy for many acute 
and chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. We are also informed by 
Burchell, (vide Travels in Africa) that the Hottentots apply a decoction of the leaves t 
fresh wounds, and use them as a cosmetic. 
- RANUNCULUS FLAMMULA. __ LESSER SPEAR-WORT 
_ CROWFOOT. 
SYNONYMA. Ranunculus longifolius, aliis flammula. Bauh. Hist. v. 3. 
848. f. Ranunculus flammeus minor. Raii Syn. 250. Ger. Em. 961. 8. 
Ranunculus. n. 1182. Hall. Hist. v.2. 78. Ranunculus flammula. Linn. 
Sp. Pl. 772; Willd. v. 2. 1307 ; Hook. Scot. 174. ; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. 
v. 3.258; Bull. Fr. t. 15; Curt. Lond. fase. 6, t. 87; Fl. Brit. 58°; Eng. 
Bot. v. 6. t. 387; Hook. Brit. Fl. p. 265. 
Class Polyandria. Ord. Polygynia. 
Nat. Ord. Multisilique, Linn. Ranunculacee, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Calyx five-leaved; petals five or more, with nectaries in their 
claws; seeds numerous, naked 
Spec. Char. Leaves linear-lanceolate, nearly entire, bluntish, stalked, the 
lower’ ones ovato-lanceolate; stem reclining at the base, and rooting ; 
_ seeds smooth. ; 
THE root of this species of ranunculus is perennial, and consists of many 
long simple fibres, some of which issue from the lower joints of the stem. 
The stem is about a foot, or a little more in length, reclining, partly decum- 
bent at the base, branched, leafy, round, hollow, smooth, of a pale green, 
slightly tinged with purple. The radical leaves are ovato-lanceolate, pointed 
' 
