122 POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 



nate, partly 3-lobed ; panicle compound, close, corymbose ; 

 flowers and stamens erect. Common Meadow-rue. 



flab. Wet meadows, rare. " Porterhaugh," Thonip. 

 Woods at Netherbyres, Rev. A. BaircL June, July. 7/ 



165. RANUNCULUS. 



* Leaves simple. Flowers yellow. 



1. R. Flammula, root fibrous; stem reclining; leaves ovate- 

 lanceolate, bluntish, stalked ; seeds smooth. Lesser Spear-wort. 



Hob. Marshy places, common. June-Sept. ?/ 



The distilled water of this plant acts instantaneously as a 

 vomit, u and, from the experience I have had of it," says 

 Dr WITHERING, " I feel myself authorised to assert, 

 that, in the case of poison being swallowed, or other cir- 

 cumstances occurring, in which it is desirable to make a 

 patient vomit instantaneously, it is preferable to any other 

 medicine yet known, and does not excite those painful 

 conti'actions in the upper part of the stomach, which the 

 white vitriol sometimes does, thereby defeating the inten- 

 tion for which it was given." Notwithstanding this re- 

 commendation from a physician, distinguished for his 

 learning and practical skill, the remedy is altogether ne- 

 glected. There be " phantasticall physitions, who, when 

 they have found an approved medicine and perfect reme- 

 die neere home against any disease 5 yet, not content 

 therewith, they wil seeke for a new farther off, and by 

 that meanes many times hurt more than they helpe." 



2. R. lingua, root fibrous ; stem erect, many-flowered ; leaves 

 lanceolate, pointed, nearly sessile, somewhat serrated ; seeds 

 smooth ; flowers large. Great Spear-wort. 



Hob. In the pond above Spindlestone. July. 11 



3. R. Ficaria, leaves heart-shaped, angular, stalked, smooth ; pe- 

 tals numerous, elliptic-oblong. Pilewort. 



Hob. Moist meadows and hedge-banks. April. 7/ 



* * Leaves lobed or cut. Flowers yellow. 



4. R. sceleratuS) stem erect, hollow, much branched ; leaves 





