EANTTNCtrLACE^. 61 



4. Snaketongue Ranunciilus. Ranunculus ophioglossifolius, Yill. 



(Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2833.) 



Very nearly allied to the spear R. but said to be always annual. The stem 

 is more erect and branched, the lower leaves broadly ovate, and sometimes 

 slightly cordate, and all broader in proportion than in the spear R., and the 

 flowers smaller, the petals scarcely exceeding the calyx. Carpels minutely 

 granulated. 



In marshes in southern Europe, extending northward through western 

 France to St. Peter's marsh in Jersey, where it was found by Mr. Babing- 

 ton. FL June. 



5. rigwort Xtanunculus. Ranunculus Ficaria, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 584. Lesser Celandine^ 



Eootstock smaO, emitting a number of oblong or cyKndrical tubers, 

 which are renewed annually. Leaves mostly radical, cordate, obtuse, angu- 

 lar or crenate, thick, smooth, and shining. Flower- stems usually scarcely 

 longer than the root-leaves, bearing one or two small leaves and a single 

 flower, with 3 sepals ard 8 or 9 oblong petals, of a bright glossy yellow. 

 Carpels rather large, in a globular head. 



In fields, pastures, and waste places, a very common weed tlu-oughout 

 Europe and western Asia. Abundant in Britain except perhaps the west 

 Highlands of Scotland. Fl. spring, one of the earliest that appears. It 

 varies occasionally with a shghtly branched stem of 8 or 9 inches or even 

 more. 



6. Celery-leaved Ranunculus. Ranunculus sceleratus, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 681.) 



An erect, much branched annual, usually under a foot, but sometimes 

 near two feet high, glabrous or nearly so. Stem thick and hoUow- Lower 

 leaves stalked, divided into three or more obtusely toothed or lobed segments, 

 the upper ones sessile, with three narrow segments. Flowers small and nume- 

 rous, the petals pale yellow, scarcely longer than the calyx, and without any 

 scale over the hollow spot at their base. Cai-pels very small and numerous, 

 in a dense head, which becomes oblong as the fruit ripens. 



On the sides of pools and wet ditches, over nearly the whole of Europe 

 and Eussian and central Asia, and now spread into North America. Scat- 

 tered pretty frequently through the chief part of Britain. Fl. summer. 



7. V^ood Ranunculus. Ranunculus auricomus, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 624. Goldilocks.) 



A. perennial, with the large bright yeUow flowers of the meadow E., but 

 not so tall, more glabrous, having only a few appressed hairs, especially in 

 the upper parts, and the lower leaves less cut and more obtuse. Stem sel- 

 dom above a foot high, erect and branched. Radical leaves on long stalks, 

 rounded or reniform and but little cut. Stem-leaves few, sessile, divided 

 to the base into narrow segments, which are entire or slightly toothed. 

 Carpels of the size of those of the meadoiv R., but downy. 



In woods and bushy places in northern and central Europe and Russian 

 and western Asia. Frequent in England and Ireland, less so in Scotland, 

 and scarce in the Highlands. Fl. spring. 



a 



