UPRIGHT MEADOW CROWFOOT 7 



flower-heads amongst the shorter herbage, ever and anon swaying 

 with the rhythm of the breeze. On the higher slopes the nest-like 

 clusters of white bloom varied with pink of the Wild Carrot, are 

 scattered commonly where the Devil's-bit Scabious rears its heliotrope 

 head in the meadows laid to hay, while on the lawn and in the fields 

 the lowly Daisy preaches eternally a sermon in mute obeisance, with 

 all nature spread out as a book, "which he who runs may read". 



Yarrow and Ox-eye Daisy, common but beautiful, make up many 

 a posy in the boy or girl schooldays. Knapweed, busby-like in 

 flower, the golden Dandelion, with its old-world "clocks", the early- 

 blooming Goat's-beard, Cowslips that reek of anise, the quaking, 

 shivering Yellow Rattle, purple Self-heal, the dainty purple and spotted 

 orchids, and the Purple Crocus are all found here. 



Upright Meadow Crowfoot (Ranunculus acris, L.) 



The deposits in which seeds of this species have been found are 

 post- Roman. It occurs in the Arctic and Cool Temperate Zones in 

 Arctic Europe and N. Asia, and has been introduced into America. 

 It is found in every part of Great Britain, as far north as the Shetland 

 Isles, and up to a height of 4000 ft. in the Highlands of Scotland. It 

 is common in Ireland and the Channel Islands. 



Every meadow, whether it be upland or lowland, dry or wet, 

 nourishes a goodly number of individuals of the tall- flowered, upright- 

 growing Crowfoot, which stands out in such contrast to the lowlier 

 grass stems and leaves around. Owing to its acrid properties it is 

 usually avoided by cattle, hence this marked contrast. As a rule it 

 likes flat expanses best, and as far as experience goes it is more 

 uniformly dispersed over dry soils, being thus a xerophile. 



The Upright Meadow Crowfoot is similar in habit to Goldielocks, 

 but is taller. There are few flowering stems, and the leaves are 

 chiefly at the base, lying close to the ground, and are usually little 

 variable but much divided. The tall, erect stems distinguish it from 

 the other species of Buttercup. 



The root is fibrous, but more robust than that of Goldielocks. The 

 flowering stems are unfurrowed, whereas in the Bulbous Crowfoot 

 they are furrowed. The long flowering stems, which are downy, 

 and the finely-divided root-leaves help to distinguish it. 



The sepals are spreading, the honey-gland is provided with a 

 scale, and the carpels are smooth. 



This buttercup grows to a height of 3 ft., flowers from April to 



