RANUNCULACE.E. 21 



margins, and hoary and downy beneath. Height about 2 feet. 

 Flowers purple. Native of the Levant. It has not been pro- 

 lific in varieties, and all are purple-flowered. The most marked 

 '\% fimbriata, which is conspicuously fringed. 



P. tenuifolia {Fine-leaved P.) — This is one of the most distinct 

 of herbaceous Pasonies. It is rather dwarf, rarely more than 

 I ^ foot high. The leaves are much parted, and the segments 

 are divided in numerous thread-like lobes. The flowers are 

 deep crimson, and not of the largest size, but the double form 

 is very compact and handsome. It is one of the best of 

 Pfeonies, and worthy of a place in any select mixed border, 

 and is quite congruous and elegant in small gardens. P. tenui- 

 folia, var. pleno, is the only variety it has produced worthy of 

 note. Native of Siberia. 



All herbaceous sorts enumerated above bloom about June ; 

 the Afoiitan varieties in April and May. 



Ranunculus. — This is a well-known and very numerous 

 genus. It is popularly regarded as a weedy family, and if 

 estimated on the merits of the few species of buttercups so 

 abundant in most parts of the country, there is no doubt but 

 that it is very weedy indeed. But the splendid varieties of R. 

 asiatieus, and other perhaps less splendid but not less useful 

 species, establish its claims to be considered one of the most 

 ornamental groups of this very ornamental order of herbaceous 

 plants. But the species yielding ornamental varieties are few 

 in number when compared with the large gathering of weedy 

 ones that are grouped along with them. Notably the varieties 

 of asiaticus eclipse all others in splendour of colouring and 

 symmetry of form ; but they are troublesome to cultivate — a 

 fact which will more than anything else prevent their occu- 

 pying the undesirably exclusive position in the aftections of 

 florists they once did, in times when affairs of all kinds were 

 more leisurely and easy-going than they are now. They can, 

 however, be cultivated at less cost and trouble in attention 

 and labour than it was thought possible in their petted days. 

 If we are to believe the books and florists' directories, no 

 less dainty food than turf off the best yellow loam, which 

 must lie in store and be turned monthly for twelve months, 

 could be presented to the luxurious Ranunculus. Excellent 

 food this for almost any plant, if it could be obtained ; but 

 in most cases that is difficult, and in very many quite im- 

 possible. It is not necessary, however, for the ordinary pur- 

 poses of embellishment and display, to attempt so expen- 

 sive a method of treatment as that recommended in most 

 treatises on the cultivation of the Ranunculus. Any strong 



