RANUNCULUS — CIIOWFOOT — BUTTERCUP. Gi 



than to tlio mrdicinal effect of tlic drug. For in some instances, after 

 Pulsatilla had lost its ell'oct, a new dni<^ — it has appeared to matter little 

 jtist which one — has again given temporary relief. 



As a remedy in rheumatism, dropsy, paralysis, etc., pulsatilla does not 

 ro(juire serions attention. That its acrid and irritating properties might 

 be made available in stimulating excretion is possible, but our knowledge 

 is at present too limited to establish the point, and other better known 

 agents are always at hand. 



IIEPATICA.— LrvEUWoiiT. 



Character of the Genus. — Involucre of 3 leaflets placed close to and 

 enveloping the flower bud, but becoming more distant after expansion by 

 the growth of the intervening portion of the scape ; otherwise similar to 

 anemone, of which genus many t)otanists consider this only a section. The 

 name hepatica has, however, become so well known that it ought to be re- 

 tained for sentimental, if not for scientific! reasons. 



Perennial herbs, with a short rootstock and numerous strong fibrous 

 rootlets. Leaves all radical, of a thick leathery texture, persisting through 

 the winter, the new ones appearing after the flowers, the old ones then 

 withering away. The mature leaves have a dark brownish color, variegated 

 with irregular lightci'-colored spots, somewhat resembling that of the liver, 

 whence the connnon name. Flowers numerous, on slender hairy scapes, 

 each bearing a single one. They appear early in spring, soon after the 

 snow is gone. 



Hepatica triloba Chaix. — Ronnd-lohed ITejMica. 



Deacription. — Sepals G to 9, white, purplish, or blue. Leaves with 3 

 rounded, obtuse lobes ; leaflets of the involucre also obtuse. 



Ifahitut. — In ujjland woods ; common botli liere and in pjurope. 



Hepatica acutiloba De Candolle. — Sharp-lobed Hepatica. 



Desci'iption. — Sepals 7 to 12, white, pinkish, or pale purple. Leaves with 

 'i) acute or pointed lobes ; occasionally 5-lobed ; leaflets of the involucre 

 also acute. 



Habitat. — Widely distributed, like the preceding, but less common. 



Pai'l Used. — The leaves — not oflicial. 



Condiluents. — Common vegetable principles, such as mucilage, sugar, 

 tannin, etc. 



PrejMi'ations. — Used in decoction and syruji. 



Medical Propertic-i and Cses. — As a medicine hepatica is wholly inert, 

 and unworthy a place in the materia medica. 



^_ . ^ RANUNCULUS. — CuowFOOT.— Buttercup. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx: sepals generally 5, sometimes but 3. 

 Corolla : petals generally 5, sometimes moi'e, occasionally but 3. Stamens 



