78 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS, 



of each of these genera, and written down all you have 

 noticed about them under the headings Eoot, Stem, 

 Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit, in addition to the very 

 few points I have stated. 



Then you will be able to see in what particulars 

 they all agree, which will account for their all being 

 members of the same family or order, Ranun'culacece, 

 as follows : — 



General Descriptio'ii of the Family or Order 

 Ranuncidacece. 



Eerhs (excepting Clematis)'^ — With a more or less 

 poisonous juice. 



Leaves — Much divided into segments, with the 

 stalk sheathing the stem at the base. 



Mowers — Sepals and petals, varioi^s in number and 

 colours, but peculiar to each genus ; stamens, many ; 

 carpels, many. 



Frnii — Achenes (exception, fleshy in Knowlto'nia 

 only) or follicles (as in the cultivated Columbine 

 {AquiUgia)). 



All iJarts free. 



It may be noticed how very hairy, almost woolly, 

 many of these plants (as well as many others) are in 

 South Africa. This is a common feature in a dry 

 climate. On the other hand, all water-plants, and, 



1 Tn all families any description may have exceptions, but it 

 refers to the great majority. 



