10 RANUNCULACE^ 



where people travel," is one by which it is very generally known in 

 England. 



2. Meadow Rue (Thalidrum). 



1. Alpine Meadow Rue (T. alplnum). — Stem simple, nearly leafless ; 

 flowers in a simple terminal cluster, drooping when fully blown. This is a 

 ■graceful and elegant little plant, with delicate white blossoms, growing on a 

 stem from four to six inches high ; but it occurs only on the mountain 

 pastures and alpine bogs between Yorkshire and Shetland ; also in Carnarvon. 

 It flowers in June and July, and is perennial. It is sometimes called 

 Feathered Columbine. The name of the genus, taken from the Greek of 

 " to flourish," is well given, because of the lively green tint of the foliage of 

 this, as well as of our other native kinds. The leaves are notched, with 

 rounded lobes, and spring from the roots on long stalks. 



2. Lesser Meadow Rue {T. minus). — This species is so much confined 

 to stony fields on chalky and limestone soils, that it has by some botanists 

 been termed T. calcareum. Its stem is zigzag and branched, from one to four 

 feet high ; its leaves are thrice pinnate, the leaflets three-cleft, and they are 

 covered with a sea-green "bloom." When the plant thrives well the stem 

 usually becomes hollow. The flowers have an unpleasant odour ; they are 

 greenish, drooping, and so full of stamens that they seem like little tufts of 

 gold threads ; they appear in June and Jxdy, and the plant is perennial. 

 Several varieties of this species occur, and these have by some botanists been 

 regarded as distinct species. 



3. Yellow Meadow Rue (T. fldvum). — Stem erect, three or four feet 

 high, and branched ; leaves twice pinnate ; flowers crowded, yellow, and not 

 drooping. This species, which is found on the banks of rivers and ditches, is 

 more generally known in England than either of the others. The Dutch term 

 it IFaterruit. It is rare in Scotland, being found chiefly in the Vale of Clyde. 

 Its leaflets are broadly wedge-shaped, and three-cleft. A very handsome 

 species of Meadow Rue is cultivated in the garden, but this has no old renown, 

 and must not be confounded with the Common Rue {Ruta yravMens), which 

 Avas brought from the South of Europe, and is now in every cottage garden. 

 That was an old favourite herb with the monks, and was never absent from 

 the "physic garden " of the monastery. It was called Herb of Grace, because 

 of its supposed virtues, and because mingled with the "holy water " used for 

 sprinkling the congregation before and after service. Thus, Ophelia says, — 



" We call it Herb of grace o' Sundays." 



It is a plant of some power, and one of its kindred is said to blister the hands 

 of him who gathers it without gloves. 



3. Wind-flower {Aneiiwuc). 



1. Wood Anemone (^A. nemordsa). — Leaves ternate, leaflets lobed and 

 cut ; flower somewhat drooping ; sepals six ; carpels without tails. The sun- 

 shine of spring has hardly dawned upon the leafless woods before this flower 

 is in blossom. Often as early as the middle of March it gleams among the 

 primroses, and soon it covers as with a white carpet many a secluded copse. 

 Pliny said of the Anemone that it never blooms but when the wind blows ; 



