28 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The species of Ranunculus have been thus fully described, as 

 they are relatively common plants, and most of them spread over 

 the State. They have few interesting properties, and, like very 

 many others, are not employed to any very beneficial purpose. 



Delphinium. L. 12. 2. Larkspur. 



Five or six species are cultivated in the gardens, for their 

 beauty. The Bee Larkspur bears a flower which has, at a little 

 distance, a striking resemblance to a bee. Some of these species 

 are not found in common gardens, and have not been introduced 

 many years. 



Aconitum. L. 12. 5. 



A. napellus. L. Monk's Hood, is often found for orna- 

 ment in gardens. The bright, glossy, green leaves, and singular 

 flower, make it a beautiful plant. Strong, acrid property. Named 

 from a town in Bithynia, where it grows, viz. Acona. Loudon. 



Another species is also seen, but more rarely ; fine palmate 

 leaves, and flexuous or zigzag stem. 



NlGELLA. L. 12. 5. 



*/Y. Damascena. L. Fennel-flower, with its white or light- 

 blue flowers, surrounded by a large, pinnate, and much-divided 

 involucre, and covered with its similar leaves, is a fine plant for 

 gardens ; its large capsule resembles a rattle-box. 



As the stamens have short filaments, and are below, and re- 

 moved from the pistil, the styles bend over, and bring down their 

 stigmas in contact with the anthers, so as to receive the pollen and 

 be fertilized. This contrivance is palpable to every observer, 

 and illustrates one particular in vegetable physiology. 



The black color of the seeds gives name to the genus, from the 

 Latin for black. The seeds of this and some other species, are 

 used to adulterate pepper. Loudon. 



Adonis. L. 12. 13. 

 A. autumnalis. L. Pheasant's Eye. Is so named from 

 its coral-red flower ; and often called Soldier-in-green, from 

 its fine bright-green foliage, terminated by a scarlet corolla. 



