PROTEA RANUNCULUS. 349 



" The henna powder," says Titsingh, " used to dye the 

 nails, &c. of an orange colour, in Japan, is neither more nor 

 less than the leaves of the Cyprus pulverised." 



This tree, or rather shrub, now bears the name of Law- 

 sonia inermis. 



PROTEA. 



PROTEACE^E. TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



From Proteus ; so named from the great variableness in the fructi- 

 fication. 



THE Proteas are elegant shrubs, chiefly natives of the 

 Cape, and requiring protection from our winters. The 

 placing them within doors at that season will generally be 

 sufficient ; but care must be taken to water them very 

 sparingly at that time, and to preserve them from damps. 



Many of the species are in estimation ; among the hand- 

 somest are the Grandiflora, the Speciosa, the Cynaroides, 

 the Linearis, the Nana, &c. ; the flowers of the latter very 

 much resemble a rose. 



RANUNCULUS. 



RANUNCULACEJS. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 



Ranunculus is the diminutive of Rana, a Frog, some of the species 

 growing in the water. It is also familiarly called Gold-cup. 



SINCE the introduction of the Persian Ranunculus, the 

 other kinds have been generally neglected ; and it has been 

 so much improved by culture, as to vie with the Carnation 

 itself in beautiful varieties. These are of every colour, and 

 combination of colour, that Flora paints with. 



As this plant strikes very deep roots, it must be allowed 



