i6 Dr. Pulteney'j- Ohfavatkns on the 



The Ranunatlt give out this quality wholly in diftillatioii : the 

 water of the R. fceleratus^ by the experiments of Tilebein, as recorded 

 in the fecond volume of the Chemical Annals, is acrimonious in an in- 

 tenfe degree, and, when cold, dcpofits cryftals which are fcarcely fo- 

 hible in any menflruum, and are of an inflammable nature*. The 

 diftilled water of the R. Flammnla, or Lefler Spearwort, as we are in- 

 formed by Dr. Withering, is an emetic more inftantaneous, and lefs 

 ofFcnfive during its action, than white vitriol ; and, as if Nature had 

 furniflied an antidote to poifon from among poifons of its own 

 tribe, is to be preferred in promoting the inflant expulfion of dele- 

 terious fubfianccs from the ftomach. 



In the experiments of the Pan Siiecus, even in the improved edition 

 by Schreber, after the obfervations and renewed trials of Kalm,Gadd, 

 Bergius, and Laftbohm, made upon horned cattle, goats, fheep, 

 horfes and fwine, all the fpecies of Ranunculi^ with which trials were 

 made, except the R. auricomus, were reje£led by the horned cattle; and 

 it is well known, that while our meadows and paftures are eaten bare 

 of other vegetables, the R. acris, and R. bulbofus^ which are but too 

 plentiful, arc left untouched: neither do cattle willingly eat the JR. re- 

 pens^ although it is not wholly rejefted by horfes, llieep, and goats. 



The R. Flammulay according to the above experiments, was eaten 

 only by horfes, to which animal it is there faid to be very grateful ; 

 whereas the ii.fl«r/coOT«j, eaten by all the red:, (except that fwine choofe 

 only the roots,) was reje6led by horfes. The R.fceleratus, which is 

 fuppofed to be the Herba Sardonia of Diofcorides, was touched by 

 goats alone; the R. bulbofm only by the latter, though it is well known 

 in Enrrland that ho2:s are fond of the roots. The R.acris was eaten 

 by fheep and goats ; but the R.aquatilis is recorded as the only one re- 



* rage 313. _ 



7 jected 



