34 RANUNCULACEvE. 



coriaceous testa conformed to the nucleus ; the raphe not 

 appendaged.. Embryo minute at the base of the fleshy al- 

 bumen, cordate ; the radicle next the hilum. 



Herbs smooth, with much the aspect of Ranunculus ; 

 the mostly simple and fistulous stems rising from fibrose-- 

 fascicled blackish roots, .and terminated by solitary large 

 flowers. Leaves alternate, palmately 5 - 7-parted, with the 

 cuneiform divisions incisely cleft and toothed ; the upper- 

 most nearly sessile. Petioles dilated at the base, and more 

 or less clasping. Flower yellow. 



Etymology. Thought to be derived from the German tiollrn, to roll, 

 from the globular shape of the flower in the original European species, the 

 Globe-floioer of the gardens ; — a name by no means appropriate for the other 

 species, in which the floral envelopes are more or less widely expanded. 



Properties. Slightly acrid. T. Europaeus, especially, is cultivated for 

 its showy vernal flowers. 



Geographical Distribution. Natives of the colder portion of the 

 northern hemisphere, in moist and shady places ; one species in Europe, five 

 in Northern Asia, and one in North America. 



PLATE 11. Trollius laxus, Salisb. ; — summit of a flowering plant 

 (Botanic Garden, from W. New York) ; natural size. 



1. A petal, magnified ; seen externally. 



2. Same, seen from within. 



3. Side view of the same (badly engraved). 



4. A stamen, magnified ; seen externally. 



5. Same, seen from the inner side. 



6. Pistils, the rest of the flower removed from the receptacle ; enlarged. 



7. A pistil, detached. 



8. Transverse section of the ovary of the same. 



9. Vertical section of the same. 



10. Head of fruit ; of the natural size. 



1 1 . Detached follicle, dehiscent ; inside view. 



12. A seed, magnified. 



13. Vertical section of the same, displaying the embryo. 



