[ aio 1 



IV. Ohfervalions on the Economical Ufc of the Ranunculus 

 aquatilis ; lu'itb IntroduBorji Remarks on the acrimonious 

 and poifonous Quality of fome of the ErigUfh Species of 

 that Genus. By Richard Pulteney, M.D.F.R.S, 

 and L.S.* 



B, 



^OTH ancient and modem writers on Botany and the 

 Materia Medica agree, pretty uniformly, in attributing to 

 many fpecies of >,,hc genus Ranunculus a corrofive and poi- 

 fonous quality. In feveral it abounds in fuch a degree as, 

 when applied externally, in a recent ftate, to excite vefica- 

 tions, and ulceration of the parts, frequently of a malignant 

 and gangrenous nature ; and, when taken inwardly, to prove 

 poifonous and fatal, by inducing vomiting, inflammation of 

 the ftomach, with the ufual confequences of acrid poifons. 

 Thefe qualities are particularly manifeft in the recent plant, 

 while in its highcft vigour before flowering; and more in- 

 tenfely in the germen of the flower itfelf, and in the petals 

 of fome, 



The poifonous fpecies, that are indigenous, and common 

 in England, are, the Ra7mnculus Flammula, or Lefl!er Spear- 

 wort; R, hulbofus, bulbous-rooted Crowfoot; R. acris, up- 

 right Crowfoot ; R.fccleratus,M.zx{[\ Cvo\v^oo\.; R. arvenjis, 

 Corn Crowfoot ; and the R. aquatilis, or Water Crowfoot, 

 according to the report of various authors. Of thefe th«^ 

 Flammula, bullofus, and fcleratus, are judged to be the moft 

 acrimonious. 



Before the introdu6lion of Cantharides, the acrid Ranun- 

 culi were, all in their turn, ufed as veficatories ; and Haller 

 tells us t, the R. Flammula is ftill in ufe as fuch in fome parts 

 of France, Giliberl alfures us % that the R. hulbofus veficates 

 with lefs pain than ihc flies, and has no efle6t on the urinary 



* From the T'ra>:Jii£lioni of ihf Lhinaan Snricty, Vol. V. 



•)• See the Enunin-ntio Slirpiufn and Hijloria Stirpiur?! Hc'lvet'i^, in 

 which much fatisfaftory information is collffted refpefting the properties 

 of this genus of plants ; and for which the author has, with his ufual 

 candour and accuracy, qiioted all his authorities. 



X Planti? rariores L'ltbuan'ue, No. 331. 



* paflTages. 



