BOTANY. 203 



by abortion. Herbs or undershrubs. Examples : ^Actaea, *Ciraifuga, 

 Xanthorrhiza, *P8eonia. 



The entire order embraces 41 genera with 1000 species, of which 20 

 genera and about 140 species are North American. Some species are more 

 or less poisonous. Aconitum napellus, or Monkshood, contains aconite. A. 

 ferox furnishes the well-known East Indian poison, called Bikh. The seeds 

 of Delphinium, or Larkspur, are used in some sections of country for 

 destroying vermin on the heads of children. 



Pulsatilla pratensis, Europe {jyl. QQ^ fig. 3) ; a, plant without the root ; 

 i, stamens ; <?, receptacle with the iruit ; d^ section of the fruit. 



Anemone hortensis, Garden Anemone, Europe {pi. QQ^fig. 2). 



Clematis erecta, Europe {pi. 06, fig. 1) ; a^ stamens ; 5, acha^nium ; c, 

 stamen ; d^ achaenia together. 



Adonis vernalis, Europe {pi. 60, fi^. 5); a, flower branch ; 5, a pistil ; 

 c, receptacle ; ^, fruit. 



Ranunculus acris, Europe {pi. 66, fig. 4); a, J, flowers, leaf, and fruit; 

 c, fruit. 



Helleborus niger, Black Hellebore, Europe {pi. 66, fig. 6) ; a, b, leaf and 

 flower; c, receptacle with nectaries, pistils, and one stamen, the rest 

 removed ; d, seed vessel ; e-g, seeds. 



Aconitum stcerkianum, Europe {pi. 66, fig. 8); a, h, flower branch with 

 leaves ; c, vertical section of flowers ; d, stamen ; e, capsule ; /', seed ; g, 

 root, 



Aquilegia vulgaris, Columbine, Europe {pi. 66, fig. 7); a, root leaf; h, 

 flower branch ; c, cauline leaf; d, pistils and stamens, only three of the 

 latter remaining ; e, section of fruit ; f, g, seeds. 



203 



