Extirpation oflFeeds.. 363 



I am acquainted with, so much so, as to give a yellow tinge to the whole surface in 

 the momh of June ; very abundant in the hay grounds near London, and indeed 

 every where else : these plants are so prevalent in our meadows and pastures, and 

 their good qualities have been so often questioned, that it seems highly proper their 

 eflFects should be precisely ascertained. It is said in Withering's Botany, of the 

 bulbosus, " cows and horses have a great aversion to it ; and of the acris, " cows 

 and horses leave this plant untouched, though their pasture be never so bare ; it is 

 very acrid, and easily blisters the skin." The Flora Rustica has given very ele- 

 gant figures of these three plants, with remarks on the bulbosus, that " it inflames 

 and blisters the skin, and beggars are said to use it for that purpose, to excite com- 

 passion by artificial sores ; and on the acris, that " if cattle chance to eat it, their 

 mouths become sore and blistered:" the three species are all occasionally found 

 wild, with double flowers ; in this state we frequently see the first and third culti- 

 vated in our flower gardens, especially the third ; hut we should derive more satis- 

 faction from informing the farmer how he might effectually root them out of his 

 pastures than how he might cultivate them successfuly in his garden, for they pro- 

 pagate themselves with great facility, and occupy a considerable space in good 

 meadows. Flora Rustica. 



Notwithstanding these authorities, I am inclined to think more favourably of 

 these plants. I have never known a practical farmer name them as in the least de- 

 gree injurious; and it is very certain of the Ranunculus repens, that cattle eat the 

 foliage greedily with other herbage ; and if they refuse the other species in bare 

 pastures, it is probably because they have been deprived of most of their foliage with 

 the adjoining herbage, and the remaining part of the plant is too acrid to be eaten 

 alone; and indeed cattle refuse the flowering stems even of grasses, when deprived 

 of their leaves : these plants may therefore be considered as seasoners and correc- 

 tors, and adapted to uses in the animal economy, similar to that of salt, mustard, 

 pepper, and vinegar at our tables, to correct the flatulent or putrid qualities of the 

 more palatable and luxuriant dishes on the great table of nature ; and though not 

 eaten alone, are an agreeable and useful stimulant with other more simple food, if 

 these plants have any injurious qualities they have hitherto escaped the notice of 

 farmers, all of whom cannot reasonably be supposed devoid of due attention, 



22. Meadow bout {Caltha palustris). This plant, though I believe useless to 

 cattle, and occupying a good deal of room in some meadows, is of welcome 



