Distribution of the Order RanunculacetE. 19 



phinium, while others can sport only one. Among the latter is 

 Hydrastis, taking its specific name from Canada. It is more 

 abundant, however, to the southward, and it may be remarked of 

 this plant, that it is not found to the westward of the Mississipi, 

 nor any where, I believe, within the British Territories beyond 

 Canada. It seems to have a liking to the Alleghany range and 

 the streams running from it. It is found generally on the slopes 

 of hills, where the growth of timber can afford it shade, and the 

 soil sufficient moisture. 



One or two species of Pceonia have been found westward of 

 the Eocky Mountains, but not as yet to the eastward. Indeed 

 they, appear to have been dainty in adopting situations for their 

 residence. The Fceonia Broumii, called after him who was styled 

 by Humboldt the prince of botanists, has been found in the Blue 

 Mountains and their vicinity, (from which locality I procured seeds 

 for the unfortunate Douglas), and on the great volcanic range from 

 which start up the snowy peaks of Rainier, St. Helens — Mts. Hood 

 and Jefferson. Its discoverer Douglas has enriched British gar- 

 dens with this and numerous other beautiful North West Ameri- 

 can and Californian plants. The other species which we owe to 

 Mr. Nuttall appears only to be obtained from the neighbourhood 

 of Ste. Barbara, Upper California, and has been named P. Cali- 

 fornica. 



The Genera which I have not touched upon, are — Myosurus 

 Cyrtoryncha, Trollius, Enemion, Aconitum, Cimicifuga, 

 Trautvetteria, and Zanthorhiza, as they have not come under 

 my observation. They have few species in North America. 

 Torrey describes 4 in Aconitum, 4 in Cimicifuga, 2 in Trautvette- 

 ria, and 1 in each of the others. With the exception of Cimici- 

 fuga racemosa, he places none in Canada. They are to be found 

 in the central and southern States of the Union, California, and 

 the Oregon. 



We thus see a pleasing variety in all that concerns this order 

 of herbaceous plants. In the inflorescence as well as the fruit, 

 the differences are very remarkable. The genera Clematis, Ane- 

 . mone, Thalictrum, and Hydrastis, cannot be said to have petals, 

 although the sepals are coloured or petaloid ; the Ranunculus and 

 Poeonia have from 5 to 10. While the 5 petals of the Aquilegia 

 have spurs at their base, the Delphinium has the upper sepal 

 spurred, and in Aconitum it takes the form of a helmet, or is 

 vaulted. In the fruit, we find also a sportiveness with all that 



