EAWrNCULACE^. 6.3. 



11. ZXairy Ranunculus. Ranunculus philonotis, Ehrh. 

 (R. hirsutus, Eng. Bot. t. 1504.) 



An erect annual, much branched fi-om the base, six inches to near a foot 

 high, with the fohage and reflexed calyx of the hidhotts R., but the flowers 

 more numerous, rather smaller, and of a paler yellow, and the hairs of the 

 stem usually fewer and looser, although in this respect both species are 

 variable. Carpels marked with a series of minute tubercles (visible especially 

 when di-y) within the rather broad margin. 



In fields, cultivated and waste places, in central and southern Europe, 

 extending eastward to tlie Caucasus, and northward .to southern Sweden. 

 In most parts of England and southern Scotland, but not generally common, 

 and rare in Ireland. Fl. summer. 



12. Small-iloT^ered Ranunculus. Ranunculus parviflorus, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 120.) 



A hairy annual, with weak, prostrate or ascending stems, from a few inches 

 to about a foot in length. Leaves nearly orbicidar, the lower ones 5-lobed 

 or crenate, the upper ones divided into 3 or 5 segments, which are more or 

 less lobed, but generally less so than in the hairy R. Peduncles short, 

 mostly opposite to the leaves. Flowers smaU and yellow, the petals narrow, 

 seldom exceeding the calyx. Carpels covered with small tubercles. 



In cultivated and waste places in western and soutl\ern Europe. Not 

 common in Britain, although oceurrmg in many parts of England and Ire- 

 land; not known in Scotland. Fl. spring and summer. 



13. Corn Ranunculus. Ranunculus arvensis, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 135.) 



An erect, branching, nearly glabrous annual, of a pale green, 6 to 18 



inches high. Leaves deeply cut into naiTow segments. Flowers small, of 



a pale yellow. Carpels few, rather large, much flattened, covered on both 



sides with conical, straight or hooked prickles. 



A common and troviblesome cornfield weed, in central and southern Eu- 

 rope and west central Asia. Very abundant in slovenly farms in southern 

 England, but decreasing northwards. Fl. and ripens its seed tvitk the corn. 



VII. CAZ.THA. CALTHA. 



Glabrous herbs, with a perennial stock and annual stems. Sepals about 

 5, large and yellow hke the petals of Ranunculus, but no real petals. Sta- 

 mens numerous. Carpels 5 to 10, laterally compressed, each with several 

 seeds. 



A genus of very few species, inhabitants of temperate and cold regions ia 

 both the northern and southern hemispheres. 



1. Marsh Caltha. Caltha palustris, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 506. Marsh Marigold.) 

 A perennial, forming large tufts, with a tliick almost tuberous rootstock. 

 Stems about a foot long, erect or decumbent, often rooting at the lower 

 nodes, and but slightly branched. Leaves mostly radical, on long stalks, or- 

 bicular or kidney-shaped, cordate at the base and crenate on the margin. 

 Flowers large, of a bright golden-yellow. 



