304 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II. 



Well worthy of a place on the shady side of rpckwork, in the 

 open parts of a rocky fernery, or on half-shady borders. 



RANUNCULUS ALPESTEIS.— .<4 .^ Crowfoot. 



A VERY pretty and diminutive species, growing from one to 

 three or four inches high, and, when well grown, forming neat 

 tufts, each stem bearing from one to three pure white flowers, 

 which open in April. The leaves are of a dark glossy green, 

 roundish-heart-shaped in outline, and deeply divided ; the roots 

 fibrous, numerous, and white. A native of most of the great 

 mountain ranges of Europe, in moist rocky places on the higher 

 pastures, and one of the most desirable alpine plants for the 

 rock-garden. It is not difficult to grow in moist, sandy, or gritty 

 soil, in positions thoroughly exposed to the sun, and abundantly 

 supplied with moisture in summer. 



R. Traunfellneri seems to be a diminutive of the preceding ; 

 the whole plant, even as I have observed it in cultivation, being 

 not more than one inch high. The same treatment will suit it 

 as the preceding ; but, being smaller, it will require a little more 

 care in selecting some firm spot fully exposed to the sun and 

 air, but kept moist and firm with a surfacing of moist grit, sand, 

 or small stones, till the plant is estabUshed into a little spread- 

 ing tuft. 



RANUNCULUS &MS\:ESXCtJSi:L^.— Stem-clasping Crowfoot, 



A BEAUTIFUL species, with large white flowers having yellow 

 centres, one to five flowers being borne on each of the stems, 

 which are clasped by smooth, gradually pointed, and sea-green 

 leaves, while oval-pointed leaves spring from the root, and set 

 off, so to speak, the snowy bouquet of flowers which adorns 

 the plant when well grown. I know no more graceful plant 

 for the rock-garden or the border — an alpine Buttercup, with the 

 purity of flower of a Snowdrop, its leaves not cut into raggedness 

 like those of many of its fellows, but as tenderly veined and carved 

 as if its natural home was some warm eastern isle, A native of 

 the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountain ranges, usually growing 

 about six inches high, flowering in gardens in April or May, and 

 increased by seed or division. I have seen the plant thriving 

 in the London clay in Regent's Park, so there should be httle 

 difficulty about its cultivation. It is worthy of the best positions 



