BOTANICAL CHARACTER. 47 



logiies, in which it is mentioned. For the rarer species, 

 or those not mentioned in three fourths of the local Floras, 

 the number of counties in which I have stations is the 

 best single test I can give of their scarcity or frequency ; 

 which may be ascertained by reference to the New Bo- 

 tanist's Guide ; a work likely to be before the public at 

 an earlier date than the present one. A little reflection 

 and calculation will readily enable even a stranger to 

 British vegetation to determine its physiognomy by these 

 aids, since the number of Floras, Catalogues, and counties, 

 in which a species occurs, taken in connection with its 

 latitudinal and regional range, must be a near approach 

 to precision on such head. The chief obstacle to this 

 proving a rigid test will arise from the circumstance of 

 some species being as widely and generally diffused, 

 though less numerous than others in individual specimens. 

 By reference to the table, it will be seen that Ranunculus 

 acris extends the whole length of Britain in latitude, 

 ranges from the Plains to the Alps, and is mentioned in 

 every Flora and Catalogue. It is consequently one of the 

 very few species boasting ubiquity, and may fairly be set 

 down as one of the commonest plants we have. Ranun- 

 culus Ficaria is as widely and generally spread, with one 

 exception, that it does not attain the Alps. Hence we 

 conclude it to be equally common as the preceding in 

 the low grounds, but less so on the mountains. R. auri- 

 cornus, wanting in one Flora and six Catalogues, and not 

 ascertained to grow in the 59th degree of latitude, or 

 above the Upland Region (I believe it does reach the Alps), 

 may be presumed considerably less common than the two 

 preceding species. R. parviflorus, extending only half 

 the length of Britain, limited to the plains, and mentioned 

 only in about half the Floras and Catalogues, must be 

 much rarer than any of the others, though occurring in 

 twenty-eight counties. And R. alpestris, peculiar to a 

 single degree of latitude, indeed to a single county, must 



