WHERE TO FIND THEM. 399 



counted." The calyx consists of two concave, ovate, ob- 

 tuse leaves, which are perfect in the bud, but fall off 

 when the corolla expands. Petals eight or more. Seeds 

 very numerous, dark shining red, with conspicuous white 

 crest. The leaves grow during the summer, attaining a 

 large size, so as to appear like a different plant. Flow- 

 ers white, very handsome, contrasting beautifully with 

 the golden yellow stamens. This plant increases in size 

 in cultivation, and the flowers show a tendency to be- 

 come double. It ripens seed freely. 



The common Buttercups, which from May to August 

 are so conspicuous in the fields, belong to the natural 

 family Rammculacece ; they are generally plants with white 

 or yellow flowers, annuals or perennials, with usually soli- 

 tary flowers. The fresh juice of all the species is acrid, 

 in some so much so as to raise blisters ; the plants are, 

 on account of this property, avoided by cattle ; but in 

 drying, this acrid property disappears, so the plants are 

 not as injurious to mowing as to pasture lands ; even, 

 however, in the former, Buttercups are not regarded by 

 farmers as acquisitions, and the plant is far more popu- 

 lar with children than with agriculturists. There are about 

 twenty species in the northern United States, some of 



