PH^ENOGAMOUS OR FLOWERING PLANTS. 



POLYPETALOUS EXOGENS. 



1. RANUNCULACE51. (CROWFOOT FAMILY.) 



The Ranunculaceae are mostly natives of cool regions, few- 

 being found within the tropics, and these generally in elevated 

 situations. 



The leaves are much divided, hence the popular name of crow- 

 foot applied to some of the species. Flowers both regular and 

 irregular, — some exhibiting remarkable forms, as those of the 

 wild Columbine. 



Our flora is greatly enriched by plants of this family, and the 

 fields and groves owe much of their beauty to them. Among 

 those most common are the Buttercups, spangling the grass with 

 their golden petals ; the Marsh Marigold of the swamps and wet 

 meadows ; the Clematis, or Virgin's Bower, gracefully climbing 

 over bushes in shady thickets, displaying in profusion its beau- 

 tiful cymes of flowers ; the Wood Anemone, with its delicate 

 white petals, often tinged with purple ; and the showy wild 

 Columbine, delighting by its varied hues the visitor to its rocky 

 recesses. 



The Peony, so commonly cultivated in the gardens, belongs 

 to this family. 



Most of the species contain a very acrid juice, rendering them 

 highly injurious as food, in a fresh state. Fortunately, heat and 

 dryness deprive the plants of their poisonous character ; otherwise 

 the cattle would suffer from its effects in partaking of hay from 

 the pastures. Cooked or dried the species of this town are harm- 

 less. There are genera, however, having exceedingly poisonous 

 properties, — such as the Helleborus, the Aconitum, and the Del- 

 phinium. As species of these are common in gardens under 

 the names Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Larkspur, and Hellebore, care 

 should be taken that children do not carry the flowers in their 

 mouths. 



Clematis, L. 



Virginiana, L. Virgin's Bower. 

 Anemone, Tourn. 



cylindrica, Gray. Long-fruited Anemone. 



Virginiana, L„ Virginian Anemone. 



nemorosa, L. Wind-flower. Wood Anemone. 



