

IUXUNCOLUS. 



RAUCHWACKE. 



bright jtUom colour. The leaves are vesicant Dr. Withering 

 rreammea.ia the distilled water u an instantaneous emetic in cases of 

 pouoo. Lightfoot nyt the braised leaves are uted to raise blisters in 

 UM hie of Skye anil the Higl.Un.ls of Sootlaad. It is a native of 

 Europe, Alia, North America, and Great Britain. 



X. gtaciatu ha* stalked radical leaves, palmated and trifid, the lobes 

 nther blunt and thick; the (tern generally 1 -flowered; the calyx 

 very hairy, the carpel* compressed and sharp-edged ; the petals 

 white. It U a native of the higher Alps of Europe, among rocks, 

 near the limits of perpetual snow, and of Lapland and Iceland. 

 The mountaineers of Dnuphiuy call this I'nrlivu or Caroline, and 

 employ an infusion of it in hot water as a powerful sudorific in colds 

 ana rheumatism. 



R. acrit, Buttercup, hot a fibrous root, the stem about two feet 

 high, erect, round, hollow, leafy, clothed with close-pressed hairs, 

 branched above and many flowered. The radical leaves are on long 

 upright footstalks, in 8 or 5 deep lobes, the stem-leaves are nearly 

 w stile, witli fewer and narrower segments, the uppermost much smaller, 

 in 3 linear entire lobes, or sometimes simple and linear. The flowers 

 are of a bright yellow, on round even stalks covered with close hairs 

 and not furrowed. The calyx is hairy, spreading, and deciduous ; the 

 carpels smooth, lenticular, with a slightly curved point. This species 

 U extremely acrid and dangerous. Mr. Curtis says that even pulling 

 up the plant and carrying it to some little distance has produced 

 inflammation in the hand. Cattle in general will not eat it, but some- 

 tunes when they have been turned hungry into a field they have fed 

 upon it, and in consequence their mouths have become sore and 

 blistered. According to Linnxus sheep and goals eat it, but cows, 

 horses, and swine refuse it When made into hny however, its noxious 

 qualities are lost. It is commonly called Buttercup, under a notion 

 that the yellow colour of butter is owing to these plants. A double 

 variety of this species is cultivated in gardens under the name of 

 Bachelor's Button. 



R. tcrltratut, Celery- Leaved Crowfoot, has a fibrous root, the radical j 

 leaves with 3 stalked trifid and cut leaflets, furrowed peduncles and 

 reflexed calyx, the heads of the fruit oblong, the carpels minute and 

 wrinkled. The flowers very small and pole yellow, numerous, on 

 solitary stalks, either terminal, axillary, or opposite the leaves. The 

 bruised leaves raise blisters on the skin, which are not soon healed, 

 and are said to be used by impostors to cause ulcers on their bodies, 

 and thus excite compassion. It is one of the most virulent of our 

 pouonous indigenous plants. The distilled water of this species is 

 highly acrimonious, and when cold deposits crystals which are 

 scarcely soluble, and are of an inflammable nature. The deleterious 

 qualities are however dispelled in decoction, and accordingly the 

 shepherds of Wallachia boil and eat it. 



H. Thin has an extremely acrid and poisonous root, and is native 

 of the Alps of Europe. It is said to yield the juice formerly used by 

 the Swim hunters to poison their darts ; wounds so produced speedily 

 become fatal 



R, ficaria, Pilewort, has a root with fasciculated tubers, cordate 

 stalked leaves, angular, or crenate, or leafy ; single flowered stem, 

 usually three sepals, and smooth blunt carpels. The flowers are 

 goldeu yellow, and it is a native throughout the whole of Europe in 

 meadows, bushy places, and about hedge-bonks; it is plentiful in 

 Britain. The young leaves of this plant, according to Linnaeus, are 

 uted M greens in Sweden. A notion that the root is efficacious in the 

 cure of piles gives it its common English name. We usually find the 

 flower closed from five to nine in the evening, and in wet weather. 

 U U the X.XiWr.or of Theophrantus, 'Hist. 1'laut.,' 7. 14. un.l the 

 X.AiWruw luxfit of Dioscorides, 2. 212, and of I'liny, ' Hist Nat.' 258. 



R, arvruu, Corn-Crowfoot, has a fibrous root, the radical leaves 

 3-cleft, dentate, the stem-leaves once or twice ternate, with linear lan- 

 ceolate segments, the calyx erecto-patent, the carpels margined, beaked, 

 and ipinoun; the flowers are Dale yellow. It is native throughout 

 Europe, and is also found in North America. It is very acrid and 

 dangerous to cattle, though they are said to eat it greedily. 



M. Brugnon, who has given a [articular account of its qualities, 

 relates that three ounces of the juice killed a dog in four minutes. 

 Several sheep were killed by eating this herb at Turin, which first led 

 to an investigation of the matter. 



H. l/ullnni, like others of the genus, is extremely acrid, and raises 

 blutrrs and produces extensive inflammation of the skin. Gilibert 

 state* that it vesicates with less pain than cantharidcs and without 

 affecting the urinary passages. 



R. Anaiictu, Common Uarden Ranunculus, has ternato or triternato 

 Intvra, the segments toothed or deeply trifid, the stem erect, simple, 

 or branched at tost base, the calyx spreading, afterwards reflexcd, this 

 pikes of the carpels cylindrical It is a native of the Levant, and is 

 referred to by Uioacoride*, 2. 206. Three varieties of this favourite 

 plant in our gardens have been described, which some have regarded 

 as species : 1. R. A. ntiyarii, with the stem branched at the bottom, 

 the leave* ternate, the srgment* trifid, cut, acute. The flowers of this 

 variety are generally formed double, and have all colours except blue. 

 It i* called the IVmon KanunciiliiK. 2. R. A. tanyumtiu, with a 

 imple stem, ternate leave*, and obtuse toothed segments. The flowers 

 are orange or yellow. This is called the Turkey Ranunculus. 3. R, A. 

 Icnuilvltu, with a somewhat branched stem, and multifid leaves with 



linear acute lobes. It is a native of the island of Cyprus, and has 

 white or yellow or purple flowers. 



The R. lanuginoiut of Linnaws is the BoTpaxio* f-ripay 

 of Discorides, loo. cit The Jt. muricatut, Linn., is the 

 rplroy of Discorides, loo. oit 



(Don, DichlamydeouiPlonlt ; Lindley, Flora Medico, ; Fraas, Syneptu 

 Flora Clauictt PUuttarum ; Burnett, Outline! of Botany.) 



RAPA. [BRABSICA.] 



UAPA'CES. [RAITORES.] 



KAPE. This plant, which is of the Cabbage Tribe, is cultivated 

 like cole, or colza, for the sake of its seeds, from which oil is extracted 

 by grinding and pressure. It is also extensively cultivated in England 

 for the succulent food which it thick and fleshy stem and leaves supply 

 to sheep when other fodder is scarce. [RAPE, in ARTS AHD So. Div. ; 

 BRASSICA.] 



RA'PHANUS, a genus of Plants belonging to the natural order 

 Critciferre. It is mostly remarkable for containing the common 

 radish, Raphantu lativut. This plant, a native of China, has been 

 cultivated in this country for upwards of 250 years, and has given 

 rise to numerous varieties, which are divided into long-rooted or 

 spindle-shaped, and round or turnip-rooted. They are also denomi- 

 nated spring, summer, autumn, or winter radishes, according to the 

 season in which the respective sorts are found best adapted for use. 

 [RADISH, in ARTS AND So. Div.] 



Ji. Raphaniilrum, Jointed-Chorlock, is a BritUh species. It has 

 moiiiliform pods, striated, shorter than the very long beak, the leaves 

 simply lyrate. The petals are veined white and lilac. It is a native 

 of corn-fields. 



Ji. maritimia, Sea-Radish. It bos moniliform striated pods, longer 

 than the beak; the radical leaves are interruptedly pinnate. The 

 petals are yellow. It is a rare inhabitant of the sea coasts of Britain. 



RAPHIOSAU'KUS, a genus of Fossil Reptiles from the lower parts 

 of the Cretaceous System. (Oweu.) 



RAPHUS, Brisson's name for the Dodo. [DODO.] 



RAPTATO'RES, Illiger's name for his third order of Birds, com- 

 prehending the Birds of Prey. 



His Raptatores consist of the following families and genera : 



NOCTCBNL Strir. 



AccirrwiNi. Falco, Qypogcranai, Oypaetui. 



VULTURISI. Vultur, C'alharta. 



This order is placed by llliger between the Ambulatores and Ratortt. 



The Accipitru, Linnseus's first order, include the genera 1 '/'/, 

 Falco, Strix, and Lanius. 



RAPfO'RES, the name assigned by Mr. Vigors to tho Birds of 

 Prey. [RAPTATORKS.] 



The Jlaptora of Mr. Vigors form his first order, and the following 

 families are arranged by him under it : Vfi.Tumn.t:, FAI.C UXIH.K, 

 STRIGID/E, Gypogcranidce ( ? ). 



The Rapture* of Mr. Swainson comprise the families of Vulluridtz, 

 Falconidce, and Strigidce. 



Mr. O. R. Gray also makes the Raptorcs cousUt of the families I'ui- 

 turida, Falconidce, and Strigida:. 



RARA. [MC80PRAUIDA.J 



RASO'RES. The Raiorct of llliger contained the following families 

 and genera : 



GALLIKACKI. Numida, Hfdtayrit, Penelope, Crar, Oputhocomiu, 

 Pavo, Phanianui, Ijatlue, Mcnura, Tetrao, and Pcrdix. 



EPOLLICATI. Ortygit (Turnix), Syrrhapta. 



COLD H in M. Columba, 



CRYPTDRI. Cryptunu (Tinamw, Latham). 



INBFTI. JHdut. 



The order, which is the fourth in Illiger's method, is placed between 

 the Raptatura and C'unorcf. 



The order (ialtina of l.innicus was placed between the (iraJla; and 

 the Pauera, Struthio being the lost genus of the former, and CWiimiu 

 the first of the latter order. 



The genera of Oallimt are Didtu, Pavo, Afdcayrii, Crar, Pharianm, 

 Numida, and Tetrao. 



The Ratorct of Mr. Vigors consist of the families Columbian, 

 Phairianidir, Tetraonida, Struthionulir, and Cracitlrr. 



The Ratora of Mr. Swaiuson comprehend the families Paronida, 

 Tetraonida;, Htntthivnitt -lie, and Megapodiidre. 



The Raiorct of Mr. O. R. Gray embrace the families CYacitbr, 

 Phaiianidrr, Tetraonidif^Cltwniilrr, and Tina<>> 



KASIT.KKKY. [Hi nvs; lUsreBRBT, in ARTS AND Sf. Div.] 



RAT. [MuHiD.F..] 



UATANY, RHATANV, or RATANHI'A. [KRAMEHIA.] 



RATA'RIA. [Ac.M i 



RATEL. [URSII..K] 



RATTLE, KKD. (I'KDicuLAnw.] 



RATT1.K, VEI.I,0\V. [KiiiSANTHUs.] 



KATT1.KSNAKI'. CftOI in.i. 



11ATTLKSNAK !: KKKN. ; 1-TKTcniUM.] 



RATTLESNAK^WEED. [ERTNOIUM.] 



RAUCHWA'CKK (in Geology), one of the calcareous members of 

 the Zechstein Formation of Germany, the equivalent of the Magnesian 

 Limestone Formation in England. It is either compact, cellular, or 

 dolomitic. Associated with gypsum and with beds called stinkstein, 



