14 RANUNCULACEAZ. [Aconitum. 



5-7-partite, upper often sessile ; petiole dilated at the base. Flowers brac- 

 teolate, 1-1§ in. diam., dark blue ; pedicels erect, pubescent. Upper sepal 

 at first concealing the others, then thrown back. Spurs of upper petals 

 conical, deflexed. Filaments dilated below; anthers greenish-black. 

 Follicles 3-5, sub-cylindric, beaked.— Distrib. Europe, N. and "W. Asia to 

 the Himalaya.— A deadly acrid poison. 



11. ACT-ffi'A, L. Bane-berry, Herb Christopher. 



Erect perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, 3-nately compound ; stipules 

 adnate. Flowers small, in short crowded racemes. Sepals 3-5, rather 

 unequal, petaloid. Petals 4-10, small, spathulate, or 0. Carpel 1, many- 

 ovuled ; stigma sessile, dilated. Berry many-seeded. Seeds depressed, 

 testa crustaceous smooth. — Distrib. Colder regions of the N. hemi- 

 sphere ; species 1 or 3. — Etym. aurri, the Elder, from a fancied likeness. 



A. spica'ta, L. ; raceme simple, fruiting pedicels slender. 

 Copses on limestone, Yorks. and Westmorel. , ascending to 1,000 ft. ; fi. May. 

 — Rootstock stout, black. Stem 1-2 ft., perennial, simple or sparingly 

 branched. Radical leaves with long petioles, 2-3-ternately-piunate ; leaf- 

 lets 1-3 in., ovate, acuminate, lobed and serrate, glabrous ; auricles short, 

 rounded. Racemes 1-2 in., solitary or few, oblong; peduncle and pedicels 

 pubescent. Flowers J in. diam., white. Sepals obtuse, caducous. Petals 

 minute or 0. Filaments dilated above; anther cells dehiscing in front. 

 Berries \ in. long, ovoid, nearly black, on spreading pedicels. — Distrib. 

 Temp, and Arctic Europe, Asia, and N. America (a red-berried var.). - 

 Nauseous, poisonous. 



Order II. berberide^:. 



Herbs or shrubs ; buds scaly. Leaves alternate, simple or compound, 

 usually exstipulate. Inflorescence various ; flowers often globose. Sepals 

 petaloid. Petals hypogynous, numerous, distinct, multiples of 2, 3, or 4, 

 never of 5, imbricate in bud. Stamens one opposite each petal ; anthers 

 opening by 2 ascending lids or valves. Carpel 1, 1 -celled ; stigma usually 

 peltate ; ovules 2 or more, basal or on the ventral suture, anatropous, 

 raphe ventral. Fruit a berry or capsule. Seeds albuminous ; embryo 

 various. — Distrib. Most cool regions, except Australia and S. Africa ; 

 genera 20, species 100. — Affinities with Panunculacece and Menispcr- 

 macece ; analogy in anther with Laurinece and in the 3-nary floral whorls 

 with Monocotyledons. — Properties. Astringent, and yield a yellow dye. 

 Berries of Berberis acid and eatable. 



1. berberis, L. Barberry. 



Spiny shrubs, wood yellow. Leaves spinous-toothed, jointed on the 

 very short petiole, often reduced to 3-7-fid. spines. Flowers raeemed 

 solitary or fascicled, yellow, globose. Sepals 8-9, outer minute, imbricate. 

 Petals 6, in 2 series, with 2 basal honeyed glands. Stamens 6. Ovule* 



