LESSON 30. J HOW TO STUDY PLANTS. 185 



of the page where that family and the plants under it are described. 

 The propositions of the same grade, two or more, from which de- 

 termination is to be made, not only stand one directly under the 

 other, but begin with the same word or phrase, or with some 

 counterpart, in the present case again with " Stamens," and with 

 four propositions, with one and only one of which the flower in 

 hand should agree. It agrees with the last of the four : " Stamens 

 not monadelphous." 



533. The propositions under this, to which we are now directed, 

 are six, beginning with the word " Pistils " or " Pistil." The one 

 which applies to the flower in hand is, clearly, the fourth : " Pistils 

 numerous or more than one, separate, on the receptacle." 



534. The terms of the analysis directly subordinate to this are 

 only two : we have to choose between " Stamens borne on the 

 calyx," and " Stamens borne on the receptacle." The latter is true 

 of our flower. The terms subordinate to this are four, beginning 

 with the word " Leaves." The fourth alone accords : " Leaves not 

 peltate ; herbs," and this line leads out to the CROWFOOT 

 FAMILY, and refers to p. 33. 



535. Turning to that page, a perusal of the brief account of the 

 marks of the RANUNCULACEJE (the technical Latin name) or CROW- 

 FOOT FAMILY, assures us that the Key has led us safely and readily 

 to a correct result. Knowing the order or family, we have next to 

 ascertain the genus. Here are twenty genera to choose from ; but 

 their characters are analyzed under sections and successive sub- 

 sections (, * , 4-, -M-, &c.) so as to facilitate the way to the desired 

 result. Of the two primary sections, we must reject 1, as it agrees 

 only in respect to the pistils, and differs wholly in the characters 

 furnished by the sepals, the petals, and the leaves. With " 2. 

 Sepals imbricated in the bud: not climbing nor woody" it agrees. It 

 also agrees with the sub-section immediately following, viz. : " * Pis- 

 tils and akenes, several or many in a head, one-seeded." The sub^ 

 division following : " -H- Petals none: sepals petal-like," is inapplicable ; 

 but its counterpart, " -t- H- Petals and sepals both conspicuous, Jive or 

 more : akenes, naked, short-pointed" suits, and restricts our choice to 

 the three genera, Adonis, Myosurus, and Ranunculus. The deter- 

 mination is soon made, upon noting the naked sepals, the petals with 

 the little scale on the upper face of the short claw, and the akenes 

 in a head: so the genus is, 7. RANUNCULUS. 



16* 



