522 BUTOMACE^. [Butomus. 



peduncle : each whorl is subtended by from 2 to 4 small, unequal, acute, scariose 

 bracts of a brownish colour. Flowers solitary, on lengthened terete pedicels, pro- 

 duced in long succession, considerably larger than in A. Plantago, about frds of 

 an inch across.* Sepals greenish, not half the length of the petals, ovato-rotun- 

 date, concave, with white, scariose, entire margins, many- (about 12-) ribbed, each 

 alternate rib narrower and less distinct than the intermediate one. Petals cor- 

 dato-rotundate, wavy, the edges erose, pellucidly striato-venose and yellow at the 

 base, white or more commonly with a faint purplish blush. Stamens short; Jila- 

 ments broad, flattened, yellow like the linear anthers. Germen ovoid, angular, 

 tapering. Styles obsolete; s%mas sessile, a tuft of pellucid bristles: in A. Plan- 

 tago the styles are very long, distinct and curved. Capsules in little globular 

 heads that are scarcely the size of a small pea, somewhat acute, with a minute 

 rather obhque point, bluntly 5-lobed, the 2 superior lobes approximate, with a 

 shallow groove between them, the 3 lower remote from the rest and separated by 

 deeper intermediate furrows. Seed solitary, oblongo-elliptical, dark brown, 

 shining and pellucid, longitudinally striated with impressed points, the embryo 

 bent double. 



The bruised herb has a rather strong odour, to me resembling that of Erygium 

 fcetidum, but less powerful. The similarity in the leaves and fruit to Ranunculus 

 Flammula doubtless originated the specific name. 



Order LXXX. BUTOMACE^, Bich. 



" Perianth of 6 pieces, the 3 inner petaloid. Stamens definite 

 or indefinite, hypogynous. Ovaries 3 or 6, or more, superior, dis- 

 tinct or united. Ovules numerous in each cell or carpel. Stig- 

 mas as many, simple. Follicles several, either distinct and ros- 

 trate, or united into one. Seeds minute, numerous, attached to a 

 reticulated receptacle, covering the whole inner surface of the 

 cell. Albumen 0. — Aquatics. Leaves very cellular. Flowers 

 umbellate, handsome." — Br. Fl. 



I. BuTOMXJS, Linn. Flowering Rush. 



" Perianth single, coloured, 6-partite, inferior. Capsules 6, 

 many-seeded. Seeds fixed to the inner hning of the capsule." — 

 Br. Fl. 



1. B. umbejlatus, L. Floivering Rush. Water Gladiole. 

 "Leaves linear- subulate trigonous, spathe of 3 leaves." — Br. Fl. 

 p. 456. E.B.t.65l. 



In ponds, ditches, and by river-sides ; extremely rare in this island. Fl. June 

 — August. If. 



* T remarked in July, 1844, that the flowers of A. ranunculoides, being fully 

 expanded during most part of the day, contract, or their petals become incurved 

 towards evening, soas considerably to diminish their apparent size. I suppose 

 the flowers may last only one day, and the incurvation of the petals may be the 

 first step in the process of separation previous to their actually falling away. I am 

 however disposed to believe it rather a state of collapse, analogous to the sleep of 

 some plants, since on examination I do not find the water strewn with the petals 

 of each successive day, which would be the case were they so fugacious as I at 

 first supposed. 



