32 RANUNCULACEiE. 



veiny, mostly cordate or reniform ; the few cauline or the 

 uppermost nearly sessile, alternate ; the radical ones long- 

 petioled. Petioles dilated and sheathing, and often stipu- 

 liform at the hase. 



Etymology. From Ka\a6os, a goblet, in allusion to the golden flower- 

 cup, or calyx, of the common species. 



Properties. Somewhat acrid when fresh. The vernal herbage of the 

 common C. palustris is largely used in this country as a pot-herb, under the 

 erroneous, but widely diffused, name of Cowslips: the acridity is destroyed 

 by boiling. 



Geographical Distribution. A genus of few species, widely distrib- 

 uted through the colder temperate and frigid zones ot the northern hemi- 

 sphere, inhabiting wet places. — The singular, oligandrous and oligosper- 

 mous, antarctic species are surely of a different genus. 



PLATE 10. Caltha palustris, Linn.; — upper part of a flowering 

 plant ; of the natural size. 



1. Stamen, magnified ; inside view. 



2. The same, outside view. 



3. A pistil, enlarged. 



4. Vertical section through the ovary of the same. 



5. Ovule, magnified. 



6. Head of follicles, of the natural size. 



7. Follicle, opening by the ventral suture. 



8. Same, after dehiscence, the seeds discharged. 



9. Seed, magnified. 



10. Vertical section of the same, showing the embryo in the albumen. 



1 1 . Embryo, more magnified. 



