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OF THE RANUNCULUS. 



THE Ranunculus Asiaticus, or Garden Ranunculus, 

 is a flower very generally,, but at the same time very 

 unsuccessfully cultivated : it is very seldom indeed 

 that you have an opportunity of beholding this flower 

 in any great perfection; but if you are fortunate 

 enough to meet with a bed of the choicest sorts, 

 growing in full health and vigour, and bearing a 

 profusion of splendid blossoms of all colours, plain 

 and variegated, you will be forced to admit that it is 

 an admirable sight, and one of the grandest displays 

 of nature in vegetable life. A bed of fine Ranun- 

 culuses is esteemed by many in no degree inferior to 

 a bed of the richest Tulips. 



Here yellow globular blossoms present themselves 

 in all shades, from the pale straw to the golden 

 crocus; red of all tints pink, rose, and flame 

 colour; purple and crimson of every dye; black, 

 brown, olive, and violet, of every hue. Besides 



