28 RANUNCULACE^E. 



hairy, and inserted by its whole length, blunt in M. mini- 

 mus (the short style not enlarging in fructification but 

 incorporated with the back of the carpel), or in M. aristatus, 

 Bcnth., forming a projecting beak. Seed oval, conformed 

 to the cell, suspended from its upper outer angle. Albumen 

 fleshy. Embryo minute, next the hilum, cordate, the short 

 cotyledons separated : radicle superior. 



Acaulescent annuals or biennials, small and inconspicu- 

 ous, with narrowly linear and entire radical leaves, and a 

 naked one-flowered scape. Flower small, greenish-yellow : 

 the receptacle very early exserted and prolonged. • 



Etymology. Name composed of pis, a mouse, and oipd, tail ; from the 

 appearance of the long spike of carpels in fruit. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. The species of the valley of the 

 Mississippi and northwestward, from which our figure is derived, appears 

 not to be distinct from the common European and North Asiatic plant : but 

 a second species, remarkable for its few and aristate carpels, has recently 

 been detected in the Rocky Mountains by Mr. Geyer, as well as on the 

 Andes of Chili. 



PLATE 9. Myosurus minimus, Linn. ; — from Missouri specimens; of 

 the natural size. 



1. Flower, enlarged. 



2. Detached sepal, enlarged. 



3. Detached petal, equally enlarged. 



4. A stamen, enlarged ; outside view. 



5. Detached pistil, magnified. 



6. Vertical section of the same, showing the ovule. 



7. Receptacle in fruit, enlarged ; all the upper achenia removed. 



8. Achenium detached, seen laterally. 



9. Transverse section of the same, more magnified. 



10. Vertical section of the same, showing the seed in place. 



11. Vertical section of the seed, magnified, showing the embryo. 



12. Embryo, highly magnified. 



