EANUNCULACE^. 427 



181) ; Eanunculese (flg. 254, p. 176) ; 4. Helleborese (fig. 539, p. 303), 

 5. PEeonise (fig. 404, p. 234), according to the sestivation of the calyx, 

 the nature of the fruit, etc. The following is an analysis of these 

 sub-orders, with the number of British species in each : — ' 



Authors enumerate 32 known genera, comprising 1290 species. -Bsc- 

 amples of the genera — Clematis, Anemone, Kanunculus, Helleborus, 

 Aquilegia (fig. 309, p. 202), Delphinium, Aeonitum, Actsea, Pseonia, 

 Podophyllum. 



The order has narcotico-acrid properties, and the plants are usually 

 more or less poisonous. The acridity is frequently volatile, and 

 disappears when the plants are dried or heated. It varies in 

 difierent parts of the plants, and at different seasons. Banuneulus 

 (the genus whence the order is named) contains many acrid species, 

 such as R. sceleratus, alpestris, bulbosus (fig. 254, p. 176), gramineus,. 

 acris, and Flammula ; while others, such as R. repens, aquatilis, Lingua, 

 and Ficaria, are bland. The acridity is entirely lost by drying, and 

 it disappears in the pericarps as the seeds, (which are themselves 

 bland) ripen. The leaves of Aeonitum Napellus, Monkshood, Friar's- 

 cap, or Helmet-flower (fig. 308, p. 202), contain a narcotic alkaloid, 

 called aconitine. They are used as an anodyne in neuralgic affections, 

 iu the form of extract and tincture. The root or rhizome has some- 

 times been mistaken for Horse-radish. The root of Aeonitum ferox 

 furnishes the powerful East Indian poison, called Bikh, Bish, or Nabee. 

 The root or rhizome of Aeonitum heterophyllum, atis or atees, is used 

 as a remedy for intermittent fever in India. The leaves of Glematis 

 recta and Flamvmula have l^een used as vesicants. The seeds of 

 Delphinium Staphysagria, Stavesacre, are irritant and narcotic, and 

 are used for destroying vermin. They owe their activity to an 

 alkaloid principle, called delphinia. Delphinium glacials grows at 

 the height of 16,000 feet on the Himalayas. The Hellebores have 

 been long noted for their irritant qualities. Helleborus officinalis, niger 

 (Christmas-rose), fcetidus, and viridis, act as drastic purgatives ; hence 

 the use of some o:^ them in ancient times in cases of mania. Actcea 

 spicata, baneberry, has a single succulent carpel, containing many 

 ovules. The rhizome has some resemblance to that of black Hellebore. 

 The fruit is poisonous. The rhizome of Actoea (Oimicifuga) racemosa, 

 black ■ snake-root, black cohosh or bugbane, is used in rheumatic 

 affections. The rhizome of Coptis Teetoe is used in India as a bitter 

 tonic. , Mgella sativa is supposed to be the fitches of Scripture (nsp, 



