RANUNCULACEA. 49 
Ranunculus Ficaria (Linn.) contains two sub-species, of which 
only one occurs in Britian. To this I give the appellation of R. eu- 
Ficaria. 
A second sub-species is common in the south of Europe ; it has 
much larger flowers, 13 to 2 inches across, and these are produced 
at an earlier season than in the generally distributed plant ; the 
carpels are much more hispid, and the rounder, longer stalked leaves 
appear in early winter. It has been called by the following names: 
Ranunculus ficarizeformis (F. Schultz); R. Ficaria 6, caltheefolius 
(Gussone) ; R. caltheefolius (Jordan); Ficaria grandiflora (Robert) ; 
F. caltheefolia (Gr. & Godr., now Reich.). 
A small-flowered plant, with round, deeply crenated leaves, from 
Mount Tagetus, in Greece, named R. ficarioides (Bor. & Chaub.), 
is perhaps only another sub-species of It. Ficaria. 
Lesser Celandine, Celandine Crowfoot, Figwort, or Pilewort. 
French, Ticatre Renonculoide. German, Scharbocks-Kraut, Wild Léffel-Kraut, 
Pfennigsalat. 
The specific name has reference to the shape of the roots, which are somewhat like 
little figs. Its acrid property has led to its use as a stimulant plaster for some forms of 
external tumours; hence one of its popular names. As the Celandine, its praises have 
been sung by modern poets. Wordsworth has referred to it as “the little humble 
Celandine.” The tiny tubers of the roots are often exposed to view by the washing of 
contiguous streams, or by rain, and then they look somewhat like grains of wheat: this 
appearance has given rise to the assertion that it has “rained wheat.” The young 
leaves of this plant are boiled by the common people in some parts of Sweden, and 
eaten with safety. It appears that the deleterious properties of the whole group may 
be dissipated by the application of heat. It is injurious to moist grass land ; but is said 
to be effectually destroyed by a dressing of coal or wood ashes. The flower loves the 
sunshine and light. We generally find it closed from about five in the evening until nine 
in the morning, and also during wet or very gloomy weather. Its Celtic name, Grian 
(the sun), refers to this point in its history. 
TrIBE 1V.—HELLEBORE. 
Sepals imbricated. Petals small, frequently abnormal or absent. 
Pistils not surrounded by a disk. Carpel with several ovules. Fruit 
of several follicles (rarely only one), dehiscent at maturity, or in 
one genus a berry. 
Herbs with the leaves all radical or alternate. 
SUB-TRIBE 1—CALTHESA, 
Leaves palmately nerved, undivided, or palmately cut or divided. 
Flowers regular, solitary, or arranged in irregular cymes. 
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