12 Remarks upon the Geographical 



succeeding epochs, have accompanied great volcanic outbursts 

 and physical changes of the earth's crust. In an economical 

 point of view, the great extension of these rocks, and their pene- 

 tration by veins of copper, give them an importance which must 

 constantly increase as tbey become more accessible, and are more 

 fully explored. 



ARTICLE 11. — Remarks upon the Geographical Distribution of 

 the Order Ranunculacece, throughout the British Possessions 

 of North America. By George Barnston, Esq., of the Hon- 

 orable Hudson's Bay Company. 

 (Communicated to the Botanical Society of Montreal, Dec. 5th 1856.) 



The Ranunculacese,'*form a somewhat extensive order and make 

 a good deal of show among the herbaceous vegetation of North 

 America, although Europe can boast of possessing a greater 

 number of species, the proportion being nearly as *? to 6 in its 

 favor. These generally hardy, and often beautiful floral inhabi- 

 tants of the country, frequent the edges of our forests, our river 

 and lake banks, and the rich natural prairies or lawns, that are 

 scattered in such abundance over some portions of the continent. 

 They climb to the mountain tops, and descend to the deepest 

 dells. One species of Anemone is found like a primrose or 

 crocus courting the snows on the great western ranges, and the 

 Hepatica triloba may be spied out in Canada, concealed in the 

 hollows of the most secluded glens. The order also maintains 

 great freedom, in its choice of diversity of soil. We have 

 the Aquilegia Canadensis on the warm slopes of rock and gravel, 

 declining to the southward, while the Ranunculus Sceleratus, 

 Abortivus &c., seek the damp and spongy meadow. The Ranuncu- 

 lus Aquatilis, still more thirsty in its propensities, will be pleased 

 with nothing less than several feet of pure Avater. 



In commencing my observations more particularly upon the 

 distribution of the genera, I may state that I adopt the sequence 

 in which these occur in Torrey's work on North American 

 Botany, it being better to assume some method, however desti- 

 tute of exact relation to my subject, than no method at all. For 

 it will perhaps be the opinion of the most able in Botanical 

 Science, that Flora, in the distribution of her Ranunculaceous 



* For the information of the general reader, it may be remarked that, 

 under the modern systems of classification, the Ranunculacece form the 

 first Natural order of Flowering Plants. They constitute a very numer- 

 ous family, characterise a cold damp climate, occupy an extensive range 



