CHAP, I. RANUNCULA‘CEX. ATRA‘GENE. 247 
the genus is retained in Don’s Miller, and is current among British and 
German cultivators, we have thought it best to preserve it. On the same 
principle (that of simplification), we prefer retaining the genera Mahonia, 
Sérbus, Malus, A‘bies, Larix, Cédrus, and others; though, in a strictly 
scientific point of view, they may not be valid. 
Description. The atragenes differ from the clematises in producing leaves and 
one flower from the bud contemporaneously ; whereas in most clematises the 
flowers are produced upon wood developed previously to their appearance, 
and during the same season. Hence the winter buds of Atragene are larger 
than those of Clématis, from their including the flower as well as the leaves of 
the year succeeding. In atragenes the leaves are less divided than in many of 
the species of Clématis, and they are always divided ternately. All the species 
of Atragene described in this work have petioles which not only clasp objects 
like those of Clématis, but maintain the prehension effected for more than 
the season, like the vine. All the species are extremely interesting from the 
beauty of their blossoms. 
Geography, History, §c. The hardy species are found in the south of Europe, 
one in Siberia, and one in North America. They are not numerous ; and it ap- 
pears to us doubtful, whether, in reality, more than two hardy species have been 
yet discovered. This genus is comparatively of recent introduction into 
British gardens ; but, as it is ornamental, plants of it may be procured in most 
nurseries. The culture is the same as in Clématis, and generally by layers. 
& 1. ArRa’GENE ALPI‘NA L. The Alpine Atragene. 
om: pea Lin. Sp., 764.; Willd. Baum., 45.; Dumont, p.426.; Hayne Den., p. 116.; Don’s 
ill, 1. p. 10. 
Synonymes. Clématis cerilea Bauh,; Atragene austriaca Scop. and Bot. Mag.; Atragene clema- 
tides Crantz; Clématis alpina Mill. Dict., No. 9.; C. alpina Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10.; Atragéne des 
Alpes, Fr.; Alpen Atragene, Ger. 
Engravings. Bot. Rep., t. 180.; Bot. Mag,, t. 530.; and our fig. 25. 
Spec. Char. Peduncles 1-flowered, longer than the leaves. Leaves biternate ; 
leaflets ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, serrate. Petals somewhat spathulate, 
blunt. (Don’s Mill., i. p. 10.) Austria. Flowers blue. May to July. 1792. 
Height 8 ft. 
Varieties. De Candolle mentions its varying with white flowers; and J. sibirica 
Lin., described below as a species with yellowish white flowers, appears to 
us nothing more than a variety of A. alpina. 
Description. The stems are numerous, branch- 
ing, weak, forming knots at the joints where the 
leaves and flowers are protruded. One flower 
on a longish scape springs from between the 
leaves; the sepals are twice the length of the 
petals, and are blue on both sides. The petals 
are of a dirty white colour, and, in general, 12 
in number. 
Geography, History, §c. Native of the moun- 
tains of the south of Europe, from the height 
of 2400 to 6000 feet, especially on a calcareous 
soil, in Austria, Carniola, Piedmont, Dauphiné, 
the Eastern Pyrenees, Hungary, &c. It ap- 
pears to have been first remarked by Allioni 
and Jacquin, in Switzerland. The species is 
very ornamental, and is to be had in most - 
nurseries. The price, in London, is Is. 6d. a plant; at Bollwyller, ? ; and at 
New York, ?. 
4 2. A. sipr’rica L. The Siberian Atragene. 
Identification. Sims, Bot. Mag., t. 1951,; Don’s Mill., 1. p. 10. 
Synonymes, Atragene alpina Gmel. Sib., 4. p. 194, Pall. Flor. Ross., 2, p. 69.; Clématis sibfrica 
Mili. Dict., No. 12., and Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10, 
Engravings. Sims, Bot. Mag., t. 1951.; Pall. Fl. Ross., 2. p. 69. t. 76., and our fig. 26. 
