Derbaceous flMants. 269 



handsome plants of this genus. Most common iu gardens 



are the so-called bachelor's buttons, double forms of several 

 species. The garden ranunculus (i?. Asiaticus) is a very 

 dwarf plant with double flowers of a more or less intense 

 yellow, scarlet, or crimson color. It is a tuberous plant 

 fine for moist places in the rockery or in a border. Maybe 

 treated in the same manner as bulbs for spring bedding 

 where it is not perfectly hardy. The buttercup (B. acris) 

 is of a very variable habit, generally growing a couple of feet 

 high with rather large, golden-yellow flowers, and palmately 

 divided leaves consisting of from three to seven segments. 

 The pretty border plant known as yellow bachelor's button 

 is a double form of this. The species itself is too weedy for 

 general use. The white buttercup (B. aeoxitifoliiis) is a 

 much more useful and ornamental plant of a close, tufted 

 habit, with five-parted leaves, and numerous pure white 

 flowers with yellow stamens. The white bachelor's button 

 is a double variety of this species and a very fine border 

 plant. Both may be used with good effect in a rockery. 

 The heart-leaved rauuuculus (B. amplexicauKs) is a dwarf 

 Alpine plant with smooth, heart-shaped, stem-clasping leaves 

 and pure white flowers. Fine for rockeries in moist places 

 among boulders and stones. The Parnassia-leaved ranun- 

 culus (/?. pamassifolius) is a still dwarfer plant with 

 rounded foliage and large white flowers. A beautiful rock- 

 plant. The marsh crowfoot (B. Lingua) is one of the 

 largest plants of the genus, growing in moist places on the 

 shores of tarns aud lakes. The flowers are bright yellow, 

 two inches across, on tall scapes from the axils of the 

 upper leaves. Stem three or more feet high with long 



