184 The Ranunculus. 



without noticing the beauty of the flower. From its caustic and 

 burning qualities, the green leaves were used to draw blisters 

 and take off marks in the skin, as well as for leprosy. Pliny 

 tells us the root was chewed as a cure for the toothache, but that 

 if kept long in the mouth it destroyed the teeth. The ancients 

 also used it to poison the points of their arrows. Dr. Bigclow 

 tells us it is a remarkable fact, that a great portion of the weeds 

 which are most troublesome in the United States, are of Euro- 

 pean origin, having introduced themselves in this country. 

 Among others, are the Ranunculus species or Buttercups, as 

 they are commonly called ; the whole of which have a remarka- 

 ble resemblance to each other, which shows their relationship at 

 first sight. The Ranunculus Bulbosus — Bulbous Crowfoot, 

 is known by its compound leaves, and its erect, many-flowered 

 stem ; the stalk that supports the flower is d>eply furrowed, the 

 flower-cup turned back, and the root bulbous, from whence its 

 narrie. It is found in dry pastures, mowing lands, and road- 

 sides, where it flowers abundantly from May to the middle of 

 June. We are told that a curious practice prevailed atone time, 

 in several countries of Europe, of applying this root to the wrist 

 or fingers for the cure of intermittents. The operation, when 

 used medicinally, is violent and uncertain, and will always pre- 

 vent its general use. In some cases, ill-conditioned sloughing 

 ulcers followed its external application, which were healed with 

 difficulty ; in others, gangrene. Linnasus tells us that the beg- 

 gars of Sweden blister their feet with it in order to assist them, 

 by producing ulcerations, in extorting charity from passengers. 

 Cows will not touch this genus, with the exception of one species, 

 which they are said, in England, to eat with avidity. Hogs, of 

 course, devour it with perfect impunity. Cultivated Ranunculus 

 seems to lose, in a great measure, these pernicious qualities, but 

 we are not aware that it is used for any medicinal purposes. 

 The Asiatic Ranunculus is the emblem, in floral language, of the 

 sentence, You are radiant with charms. 



Yellow king cups, bright as gold, 



I love your blossoms to behold, 



Making all the meadows gay, 



In the pleasant month of May, 



Till the mower cuts you-down, 



And turns your yellow flowers to brown. 



