CEOWFOOT TRIBE 17 



the waters. He soon discovered that it had l)een caused by this plant, and 

 a redness and irritation remained on one side of the cheek and neck for some 

 hours afterwards, notwithstanding that means were used to allay it. Burnett 

 says that even carrying this plant in the hand will cause inflammation ; yet 

 the shepherds of Morlachia, notwithstanding the acridity of its leaves, eat 

 them when boiled. The distilled water procured from this crowfoot is 

 intensely acrimonious, and, when cold, deposits crystals which are in- 

 flammable. The plant is found in almost every part of the world, and has 

 been seen very far north, growing by the streams. Another water-side 

 species, termed the Frigid Eanunculus, has been found in some of the highest 

 latitudes yet explored. Dr. Sutherland, when in the Polar expedition in 

 search of Sir John Franklin, saw this beautiful little plant growing on the 

 shores of Assistance Bay, a spot which he and his companions had to reach 

 by walking over ice. 



14. Bulbous-rooted Crowfoot (B. hulbdsus). — Calyx reflexed ; flower- 

 stalks channelled; leaves cut into three variable leaflets, which are three- 

 lobed, or three-partite, and cut ; root bulbous. Perennial. This flower, 

 which grows on a stem about a foot high, is one of the three species commonly 

 called Buttercups. It is the kind which is earliest in blossom, and which in 

 May often embroiders with gold the grassy meadow. 



" The daisy and the buttercup, 

 For which the hiughing children stoop 

 A hundred times the livelong day, 

 In their rude romping summer play, 

 So thickly now the pasture crowd 

 In gold and silver sheeted cloud, 

 As if the drops of April showers 

 Had woo'd the sun and changed to flowers." 



The three kinds of buttercup are much alike ; but this may at once 

 be known by the sepals, Avhich turn downwards. In old times it was 

 called St. Anthony's Turnip ; but if that pious hermit, whose name it bears, 

 ever dined on its white hard roots, he must have dried them well first in 

 the sunshine, to remove their acridity. In their fresh state they are not 

 only pungent to the taste, but are emetic in their j)roperties. Their expressed 

 juice is said to cause sneezing, and it was formerly used for raising blisters, 

 especially in cases of gout. The acrimonious principle is in some measure 

 dispelled by drying, and is altogether lost if the roots are boiled. Swine are 

 very fond of them, and will dig them up in the pasture. 



15. Creeping Buttercup {li. repent). — Calyx spreading; flower-stalks 

 furrowed ; scions creeping ; leaves divided into three leaflets, which are 

 three-lobed, or three-cleft, and cut. Perennial. This plant, which the lover 

 of flowers admires for its glossy cup, is a troublesome Aveed to the farmer, 

 running all over the pasture by means of its creeping shoots, which take root 

 wherever a leaf is produced. It is most abundant everywhere from June to 

 August, blooming on, in shady places, as gardens and churchyards, till nearly 

 winter. As it occurs in so many soils and situations, it assumes a great 

 variety of appearances. When growing by the side of a river or on a marsh, 

 it attains a height of three or four feet, with a stem sometimes as thick as a 

 man's finger ; whereas on a barren field its stem is not larger than a wheat- 



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