206 



ORDER I. RANUNCULACEJ. 



Genus VI.— MYOSU'RUS. Dill. 5—12. {.Mouse-taii) 



(From the Greek inus, a mouse, and oiira, a tail, from the resemblance of the spik« 

 to the tail of a mouse.) 



Sepals 5, produced downward, at the base, beyond their in- 

 sertion. Petals 5, the claw fihtbrm and tubular. Stamens 

 generally numerous, 5 — 20. Achcnia triquetrous, spicate, on 

 an elongated torus. Seeds suspended. 



1. M. min'imus, (L.) Scape 2 — 4 inches high. Leaves 1 — 2 inches 

 long, very narrow, radical. Flowers minute. Spikes of carpels terete, 

 tapering. — Pale yellow. ©. April. Geo. and Lou. 



Genus VII.— CAL'THA. L. 12— 12. (Cowslip. Marsh Marigold)^ 

 (From the Greek kalathos, a goblet.) 



Calyx colored. Sepals 5 — 9, resembling petals. Petals 

 none. Stamens numerous. Follicles numerous, compressed, 

 many-seeded. Seeds ovate, raphe prominent. 



1. C. ficarioi'des, (Pursh.) Stem erect, 1 -flowered, 1 -leaved, radi- 

 cal. Leaves petioled, cordate-ovate, obtuse, sparingly-toothed, many- 

 nerved. 5(?jDa/s elliptic. — Yellow. ^. 8 — 12 in. Swamps. 



The Caltha possesses the same acrid properties as the Ranunculus, but by boiling is 

 rendered harmless, and is prepared for food in early spring. 



Genus VIIL— ISOPY'RUM. T. & G. 12—12. 

 (From the Greek isos, equal, and puros, wheat; the allusion uncertain.) 



Sepals 5, petaloid. Petals wanting. Stamens 10 — 40. 

 Ovaries 3 — 20. Follicles ovate, or oblong. 



1. biterna'tum, (T. &, G.) (Enemion biternatum, Raf.) Slender herb, 

 with leaves 2 — 3-ternately divided, the segments 2 — 3-lobed. Flowers 

 axillary and terminal. Carpels 3 — 6, broadly ovate, divaricate, nerved, 

 ?.-seeded. — ©. Kentucky and Florida. 



Genus IX.— AQUILE'GIA. L. 12—5. {Columbine.) 

 (Latin name aquila, an eagle.) 



Sepals 5, deciduous, colored. Petals 5, somewhat bilabiate, 

 each petal being produced into a spur, projecting between the 

 sepals. Follicles 5, many-seeded, terminated by a style. 



1. A. Canaden'sis, (L.) Stem 12 — 18 inches high. Leaves on long 

 3-cleft footstalks, ternate and biternate, leaflets lobed and crenate, 

 glaucous. Flowers peudulou*, spurs straiL^ht, stamens exsert, nume- 

 rous, disposed in several parcels. — Scarlet, tinged witli yellow. $ . 

 Mountains. Islay. 



Aqnilegia affords beautiful ornaments for the flower garden, and as such severa/ 

 •pecies arc cultivated. 



