18 RANUNCULACEiE. 



same time, a tuft of radical ternately-dissected leaves. Peti- 

 oles dilated at the base ; their withered remains persistent. 

 Involucre distant from the flower, soon remote, from the 

 elongation of the fructiferous peduncle ; in Eupulsatilla 

 simply multifid from the confluence of its three verticillate 

 leaves into a cup or ring at the base, the linear segments 

 uniform ; or, in Pkeonanthus (P. alpina) of three distinct, 

 short-petioled leaves, resembling the radical ones. Flowers 

 large (2 to 3 inches broad) : sepals purplish, violet, white or 

 rarely sulphur-color. Stems and young leaves, &c, villous. 



Etymology obscure. The popular name of Pasque-flower was given 

 in Europe, because the blossom appears at Easter. 



Properties. Acrid and poisonous, at least when fresh. Some species 

 have been esteemed in obstinate cutaneous diseases, chronic ophthalmia, &c. 



Geographical Distribution. Northern and colder regions of the Old 

 World, especially on mountains or elevated plains ; two species (one of each 

 subgenus) extending into North America, of which one reaches the western 

 part of the United States proper. — Pritzel, misled by the name which Nut- 

 tall gave to our species (Anemone Ludoviciana), and not aware that the 

 whole, country which borders on the Missouri River was formerly called Up- 

 per Louisiana, has wrongly extended the geographical range down to the 

 present limits of Louisiana (lat. 33° -29°). Along the Rooky Mountains, 

 however, this plant does extend as far southward as lat. 30° ; Mr. Fendler 

 having gathered fine specimens at Santa Fe. 



PLATE 3. Pulsatilla patens, Mill. ; — from Wisconsin specimens 

 furnished by Mr. Lapham, of the natural size at the time the 

 flower opens : the leaves as yet scarcely appearing. 



1 . Diagram of the sestivation of the calyx. 



2, 3. Petals, so called, magnified to the same degree as 



4. A stamen. 



5. A pistil, magnified. 



fi. Another pistil, with the ovary divided, showing the ovule. 



7. Ovule detached, more highly magnified. 



8. Receptacle in fruit, with three of the caudate achenia still attached. 



9. An achenium, with its persistent style, thrice the natural size. 



10. Same divided, showing the seed in place. 



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



12. Embryo detached, highly magnified. 



