RANUNCULACE. 4] 
Rootstock very short, oblique, emitting numerous thick fibres. 
Primary stem sub-erect, 8 inches to 2 feet high; runners produced 
about the time when the primary stem flowers, and throwing up 
ascending flowering shoots later in the year. Leaves variable in 
the shape of the segments and in the depth of their divisions. 
Flowers 1 inch or more in diameter, bright yellow, the petals less 
spreading than in the previous species. Achenes lenticular, brown 
when ripe, much compressed, appearing finely granulated under a 
lens ; beak about half the length of the rest of the carpel. Whole 
plant more or less hairy, the hair generally spreading, except upon 
the young leaves and peduncles. In moist, shady places the plant 
is often robust, the branches ascending instead of creeping and 
rooting, and the stems less hairy. 
R. Caleyanus (Don, Gardener’s Dictionary, Vol. I. p. 37) is 
described as having the calyx reflexed. It is said to be native 
near London, in dry places, particularly in the late Mr. Caley’s 
garden at Bayswater. It is probably only a form of R. repens ; 
but Don is the only botanist who appears to have met with it.* 
Creeping Crowfoot. 
It is the Cuckoo-bud of Shakespeare, so called from its early and bright appearance 
in the spring, accompanying the arrival of the cuckoo :— 
“ When daisies pied and violets blue, 
And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue, 
Do paint the meadows with delight.” 
It is also called Gold-cups, Gold-balls, and Mary-buds, sometimes improperly 
Buttercup. Like others of its family, it is acrid and irritant. 
SPECIES XV.—RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. Zinn. 
PLatE XXXV.T 
Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. et Helv. Vol. III. Ran. Tab. XX. Fig. 4611. 
Rootstock resembling a corm. Stem erect or ascending, 
slightly branched. Leaves ovoid in outline; the radical and lower 
stem leaves stalked, ternate, with 3-cleft segments, or biternate; 
the middle leaflet with a longer stalk than the side ones, which are 
frequently sessile, all more or less deeply cut, lobed, or crenate- 
serrate; upper leaves sessile, with narrower segments having a few 
strap-shaped lobes. Peduncles hairy, furrowed. Sepals hairy, 
* The Plate of R. repens is E. B. 516, with additional dissections drawn by 
Mr. J. E. Sowerby. 8. 
t The Plate is E. B. 515, with additional dissections drawn by Mr. J. E. Sowerby. 
G 
