16 RANUNCULACE-E. 



There is a Corn Crowfoot (E. arvensis), which, somewhat 

 resembles this, but it is less clumsy in form, and its large 

 prickly carpels are both curious and pretty. I have frequently 

 found it in corn fields in Xent, Yorkshire, and elsewhere. 

 Two of this family have simple, narrow leaves ; they are called 

 the Greater and Lesser Spearworts. The larger species is rare. 

 A specimen was sent to me from near Darlington ; and I have 

 seen it growing freely in a pond in the Botanic Gardens at 

 Edinburgh. It is a stately plant with long, spear-shaped 

 leaves, and large golden flowers nearly as big as those of the 

 Marsh Marigold. It is quite erect, and grows to the height of 

 three feet : this is E. lingua. The Lesser Spearwort (E. flam- 

 mula), is common everywhere on boggy ground and ditches. 

 In the former situation it grows half prostrate ; in the latter, 

 it becomes erect and very succulent. In this state it may 

 easily be confounded with the Greater Spearwort, only that 

 it is never hairy, and its carpels terminate in a mere point, 

 while those of the larger species have a sword-shaped beak. 



The last of the yellow Crowfoots is the Lesser Celandine 

 (Eanunculus ficaria, Plate I., fig. 6), so well known and loved 

 by the poet Wordsworth. 



" 111 befall the yellow flowers, 

 Children of the flaring hours : 

 Buttercups that will be seen 

 Whether we will see or no ; 

 Others, too, of lofty mien, 

 They have done as wordlings do, 

 Taking praise that should be thine, 

 Little humble Celandine ! 



" Prophet of delight and mirtb, 

 Scorned and slighted upon earth! 

 Herald of a mighty band 

 Of a joyous train ensuing, 

 Singing at my heart's command, 

 In the lanes my thoughts pursuing ; 

 I will sing as doth behove 

 Hymns of praise of what I love." 



No wonder that this cheerful flower should be a favourite. 

 It is one of the first that appears as a herald of spring ; and 



