22 RANUNCULACE/E. 



Involucre close to the flower, and imitating a calyx, formed 

 of three ovate and entire sepaloid leaves, rather shorter than 

 the sepals, longer than the head of fruit with its short stalk 

 (the pedicel), persistent. Sepals blue, violet, purple, often 

 pale or nearly white, handsome. 



Etymology and Properties. From tiwotikos, affecting or belonging to 

 the liver, on account of a fancied resemblance in the shape of the leaves ; 

 whence, according to the old " doctrine of signatures," it was inferred to 

 be a potent remedy for affections of the liver. It is still a celebrated popular 

 remedy for various diseases ; but it is endowed with no active properties 

 beyond the slight acridity of the recent plant, and a mild astringency with a 

 little mucilage. 



Geographical Distribution. Natives of the colder temperate zone of 

 the northern hemisphere, extending northward to the limit of trees. Grow- 

 ing in rich woods, covered in winter by the fallen leaves, above which the 

 handsome flowers rise and unfold almost as soon as the snow leaves the 

 ground. 



PLATE 5. Hepatica acutiloea, DC, — of the natural size : the right- 

 hand scape in young fruit. 



1. Stamen magnified, seen from without. 



2. Inside view of the same. 



3. A pistil, magnified. 



4. Vertical section of a pistil, magnified, showing the ovule. 



5. Ovule detached, equally magnified. 



6. Vertical section through an achenium and the included seed, magni- 



* fied, bringing to view the minute embryo next the hilum. 



