The Natural System of Botany. 



115 



that of the Ranunculus ; but by examining the stamens and 

 the carpels, they will present the same essential characters. 



The Paonies, so generally cultivated in gardens for their 

 showy flowers, also belong to this Order. They differ from 

 the Ranunculus in having a persistent calyx, and a smaller 

 number of carpels, but the essential characters are the same. 

 Nearly all the Ranunculaceae belong to the Linnaean Class 

 polyandria. 



It would far exceed our limits to give anything like a com- 

 plete description of the plants of this order, but for the conve- 

 nience of the student, we add here a list of the North Ameri- 

 can genera, with the number of their species. This list may 

 be considered as nearly accurate, having been prepared by 

 Dr. Torrey. 



Clematis 



Thalictrum 



Anemone 



Hepatica - 



Hydrastis 



Adonis 



Myosurus 



Ranunculus 



Caltha - 



Trollius - 



Coptis - 



RANUNCULACEAE. 



14 



Eneniion - 



- 5 



Aquilegia 



14 



Delphinium 



- 1 



Aconitum 



1 



Actsea 



- 1 



Cimicifuga 



1 



Macrotys - 



- 38 



Xanthorhiza 



8 



Pseonia 



- 1 





2 



is 



1 



3 



7 

 3 

 1 

 4 

 1 

 1 

 1 



107 



