THE CROWFOOT FAMILY. 37 



[LESSER CELANDINE. Ranunculus Fic&ria. 



Leaves heart-shaped, on Stalks, angular, or scollopped. 

 Sepals 3 7 Petals 9. Achenes smooth, blunt. Root consists of 

 many long tubers, in a bunch, (facieulated.) PL II. 15. fa. 



" 'Ere a leaf is on a bush, 

 In the time before the thrush 

 Has a thought about its nest ; 

 Thou wilt come with half a call, 

 Spreading out thy glossy breast, 

 Like a careless prodigal : 

 Telling tales about the Sun, 

 When we've little warmth, or none." 



WORDSWORTH. 



MARSH MARIGOLD. Caltha. 

 The Marsh Marigold, or King-cup ; is so similar 

 to a Buttercup, only larger ; that it would be classed 

 with the Crowfoots, but for its different Fruit ; which is 

 a Follicle. 



[MARSH MARIGOLD. Caltha Palustris. 



Sepals 6, like petals, (petaloid). Petals none. Follicles 

 5 to 10 compressed, spreading, with many Seeds. Stem erect, 

 rooting or creeping, Leaves heart-shaped, rounded (PI. I. 3. a.) 

 or kidney- shaped, (PI. II. 14. r.) and finely scollopped. Se- 

 pals which soon fall off (deciduous.)] 



Name signifies " a Cup," which its Flowers resem- 

 ble. This plant is common in marshy places ; flower- 



