94 THE PARLOR GARDENER. 



the tranquil water, and amidst which rise the 

 floral stalks, bearing little single flowers white, 

 with a yellow mark at the base of each petal. 

 Common as it is, the aquatic ranunculus may, 

 with its European physiognomy, hold its place 

 very well in the midst of the most beautiful 

 aquatic plants of foreign origin.* 

 Take notice, I beg you, ladies, that I do not in 



* Description of the water ranunculus in America by Dr. Dar- 

 lington, of West Chester, Pa., in his Flora Cestrica: 



"Ranunculus, Linn., (Latin rana, a frog, the plant often growing 

 where frogs abound.) 



"Ranunculus aquatilis, Linn., water ranunculus; Vulgo, river 

 crowfoot. 



" Root perennial. Stems numerous from the root, procumbently 

 floating, nine to eighteen inches long, very slender, smooth, jointed, 

 branching, and usually throwing out a couple of filiform roots at 

 the joints. Leaves alternate, one at each joint, ... . segments half 

 an inch to an inch long. . . Petals white or ochroleucous, yellow 

 at base. . . . 



' Habitat, flowing waters ; Brandy wine, frequent. Flowers June 

 to August. 



" Observation. I have often found this plant entirely submersed 

 (and usually in swift-running water) so deep that the flowers cer- 

 tainly never reached the surface. Professor De Candolle enumer- 

 ates five varieties of this species, four of which Professor Hooker 

 gives as natives of British America; but I have only met with the 

 present one in this county, (Chester County, Pa.) " 



