28 I'LOEA IN Die A. [Uanunculacea . 



diametro -J-l-uncialia, basi cordata, profuEde crenato-lobata, vel triloba, lobis cre- 

 natis. Scapi 2-4-uiiciales, debiles, 1-flori. Flores 0. glacialis sed paullo majores, 

 diametro unciales. Fetala oblonga, spatbulata, fovea uectarifera parva ecallosa. 

 Ache7tia priori3. 



8. CERATOCEPHALUS, Mcench. 



Sepala 5, decidua. Fetala 5, fovea uectarifera impressa. Acliema 

 supra reoeptaculam spioata, basi utrinque gibba, apioe longe vostrata. 

 Semen erectum. — Herbse annux acaules, floribus/aws. 



A genus consisting of one very variable species, whicli is a native of the- Mediter- 

 ranean region of Europe and the corresponding climates of Asia. Asa genus it is not 

 sufficiently distinct from Ranunculus, with which it is connected by means of R. 

 oxt/spermus, Willd., and R. orientalis, L., which have long-beaked fruit. When 

 the family is again monographized it will probably be reduced, but the sections of 

 Ranunculus will at the same time require a thorough revision. 



1. C. falcatus (Pars. Syn. 341).— Da Frod. i. 26; LeAeb. Fl. 

 Ross. i. 36. C. Orthoceras, BG. Frod. i. 26 ; Beless. Ic. Select, i. t. 

 33 ; Led. Fl. Ross. i. 36. Kanunculus falcatus, L. Sp. 781 ; ScUecJit. 

 Anim. Ran. 6. 



Hab. In graminosis siccis montium Indise boreali-occidentalis : Be- 

 luehistan ! Afghanistan ! Kashmir ! Kishtwar ! — (El. vere.) (v. v.) 



DiSTRiB. Europa austr. ! Asia temperata ! 



Herlia pusiUa, tenuiter tomentosa vel rarius glabra. Tetioli sursum dUatati. 

 Folia ternatisecta, segmeatis liuearibus sfepe biSdis, iuterdum piunatisecta. Scapi 

 plures, 1-flori, 1-2-unciales. Flores 2-3 lineas lati. Sepala 5, oblonga, plurinervia. 

 Petala sequilonga, obovata, trinervia, tlava, fovea uectarifera minuta. Achenia in 

 spicam oblongam fere uncialem disposita, rostro recto vel falcato. 



We have examined a great number of authentic specimens of the two species 

 usually distinguished, from all the countries in which they occur, and find the shape 

 and size of the beak of the fruit very variable, as is also the amount of development 

 of the crest on its dorsum. We have, therefore, no hesitation in adopting Schlech- 

 tendal's opinion, and uniting the two supposed species. All the forms occur in In- 

 dian specimens, and it is not uncommon to find on the same individual both glabrous 

 and hairy spikes. 



9. RANUNCULUS, L. 



Sepala 3-5, decidua. Fetala 5-15, basi fovea uectarifera impressa. 

 Achenia in spicam vel capitulum coUecta, stylo brevi apiculata. Semen 

 erectum. — Herbse annua vel perennes, scepius caulescentes, floribus albis 

 veljiavis. 



This very large genus has representatives in all parts of the globe. The tropical 

 species are very few, and chiefly marsh-plants ; but iu all pai'ts of the temperate 

 zone, and at considerable elevations in the torrid zone, its species are numerous, 

 some growing in water or in marshy places, others in pastures or in woods, while 

 many of the smaller kinds are foxmd to extend into the arctic zone, or to rise on the 

 mountains to the uppermost limits of vegetation. Being in general widely diffused, 

 and capable of existing under very dififerent circumstances, the species are extremely 

 variable, and in consequence very difficult of determination and definition ; the shape 

 of the leaves in particular varies much. In the great majority the leaves are pal- 



