14 RANUNCULACE^ 



foot, affords a constant supply in all seasons, save when the waters are frozen 

 up. It is very difficult to account for the absence of the acrimonious principle 

 in this species, because the presence of water is so often found to increase the 

 noxious properties of vegetables. Thus, many plants of the Umbelliferous 

 tribe are found, when growing on a marshy soil, to possess deleterious 

 properties which do not belong to them in drier localities. The modern view 

 is that the terrestrial species of Ranunculus have developed the poisonous 

 property in self-defence against broAvsing quadrupeds ; the aquatic species 

 are little exposed to such attacks, therefore they have not developed 

 acridity. 



2. River Crowfoot {li. flmtans). — Stem, stout, long ; floating leaves 

 rarely present, thrcc-lobed or trifoliolate ; submerged leaves divided into a 

 few black, stiff', hair-like segments ; leaf-stalks long and stout. Flowers 

 three-quarters to one inch across ; petals broad, oval, often more than five, 

 and in two series ; stamens numerous ; achenes large, smooth, swollen. This 

 plant may be found fairly distributed south of the Clyde and in Ireland, but 

 only in deep lakes and running water. It flowers from June to August. 



3. Water Fennel {B. trichophyllus). — Floating leaves when present 

 trilobed or trifoliolate ; submerged leaves with very short footstalks, and 

 divided into many black, hair-like segments which remain rigid when taken 

 from the water. Flowers one-third to half an inch across ; petals small, 

 narrow, and far apart. Stamens few ; achenes few. Found flowering during 

 May and June in the still waters of ponds and ditches throughout the three 

 kingdoms. 



4. Rigid-leaved Water Crowfoot (/'. rirrindtus). — Stem floating, 

 leaves all submerged, divided into many rigid segments which remain in 

 one place ; footstalk one inch. Flowers three-quarters of an inch across ; 

 petals broad, twice the length of sepals ; stamens numerous. This species, 

 which is little subject to variation, will be found in waters with little or no 

 movement, flowering from June to August. 



5. Three-lobed Water Crowfoot {H. frijyartUus). — Stem aerial, 

 rooting in mud, or partially floating in shallow water ; all the leaves kidney- 

 shaped, three-lobed, or with three wedge-shaped segments. Flowers quarter 

 of an inch across, with narrow, three-nerved pinkish petals ; stamens few ; 

 achenes numerous, smooth. This species, which is very similar to forms of 

 B. aquatilis, may be found in the South and West of England only, flowering 

 from May to July. 



6. Mud Crowfoot {B. lenormdndi). — Stem creeping, stout, and 

 branched. Leaves all round or kidney-shaped with crenate edges. Flowers 

 from quarter to half an inch across, with oblong, five-nerved petals ; 

 stamens few. This species is in flower from June to August, in marshes and 

 ditches south of the Clyde, and in South Ireland. 



7. Ivy-leaved Crowfoot (B. hederdceus). — Stem submerged, and 

 throwing out roots or creeping; leaves roundish, kidney-shaped, with 3^7 

 entire lobes ; petals but little longer than the calyx ; stamens 5 — 10. Plant 

 perennial. This plant, which is in flower throughout the summer, is much 

 smaller than the last species, and its blossoms are not nearly so attractive. 

 It grows either in shallow waters, or in places where water has stood. 



