10 THE RANUNCULUS FAMILY. [Ranunculus 



11. B. flabellatus, Desf. (fig. 19). Fine-leaved R.A hairy peren- 

 nial, with the habit of the smaller specimens of It. bulbosus. Stem 

 usually 6 to 9 inches high, thickened at the base into a kind of bulb, 

 covered with the fibrous remains of old leaves, and emitting small 

 tubers from the base amongst the fibrous roots. Leaves radical, the 

 early outer ones often rounded and toothed only, the more permanent 

 ones once or twice ternately divided into cut segments. Flowers few, 

 rather large, bright yellow, the sepals spreading, but not reflected. 

 Carpels numerous, glabrous, collected in an oblong or cylindrical head. 

 R. ChaerophyUos, Linn., of former editions. 



In rather dry, waste, and cultivated places, and hilly pastures, 

 especially in western and southern Europe, and formerly occurring 

 near St. Aubin's, in Jersey. PI. early summer. 



12. R. bulbosus, Linn. (fig. 20). Bulbous R. A perennial, much 

 smaller and usually more hairy than the R. acris, of which it has the 

 bright yellow petals. Stem seldom above a foot high, and usually 

 thickened at the base into a kind of bulb. Leaves more like those of 

 R. repent, but smaller, divided into 3 segments more or less cut, but 

 broader than in R. acris. It is distinguished from all but 7?. kirsutus 

 by the sepals, which, as soon as the flower expands, are closely re- 

 flected on the peduncle. Carpels glabrous and smooth, in a globular 

 head. 



In meadows, pastures, and waste places over the greater part of 

 Europe, but disappearing in the north-east, rare in western Asia ; 

 naturalised in North America, Abundant in Britain. Fl. early summer. 



13. R. hirsutus, Curtis, (fig. 21). Hairy R. An erect annual, much 

 branched from the base, 6 inches to near a foot high, with the foliage 

 and reflexed calyx of R. bulbosus, but the flowers more numerous, rather 

 smaller, and of a paler yellow, and the hairs of the stem usually fewer 

 and looser, although in this respect both species are variable. Carpels 

 with a series of tubercles (visible especially when dry) within the rather 

 broad margin. 



In fields, cultivated and waste places, in central and southern Europe, 

 extending eastward to the Caucasus, and northward to southern Sweden. 

 In most parts of England and southern Scotland, but not generally 

 common, and unknown in Ireland. Fl. summer. [R. Pkilonotis, Ehr., 

 the name adopted in earlier editions of this work, is of later date than 

 hirsutus. R. Sardous, Crantz, andparvulus, Linn. , are earlier than either, 

 but are quite misleading.] 



14. R. parviflorus, Linn. (fig. 22). Small-lowered R.A. hairy 

 annual, with weak, prostrate or ascending stems, from a few inches to 

 about a foot in length. Leaves nearly orbicular, the lower ones 5-lobed 

 or crenate, the upper ones divided into 3 or 5 segments, which are more 

 or less lobed, but generally less so than in R. hirsutus. Peduncles 

 short, mostly opposite to the leaves. Flowers small and yellow, the 

 petals narrow, seldom exceeding the calyx. Carpels covered with small 

 tubercles. 



In cultivated and waste places in Europe and Asia ; introduced into 

 N. America. Not common in Britain, although occurring here and there 

 in England and Ireland ; not in Scotland. Fl. spring and summer. 



15. R. arvensis, Linn. (fig. 23). Corn R. An erect, branching 

 nearly glabrous annual, of a pale green, 6 to 18 inches high. Leave* 



