206 



ORDER I. RANTJNCUL A( E E. 



Genua VI.— MYOSU'RUS. Dill. 5—12. {Mouse-tail.) 



(From the Greek mus, a mouse, and oura, a tail, from the resemblance of the spike 

 to the tail of a mouse.) 



Sepals 5, produced downward, at the base, beyond their in- 

 sertion. Petals 5, the claw filiform and tubular. Stamens 

 generally numerous, 5 — 20. Achenia triquetrous, spicate, on 

 an elongated torus. Seeds suspended. 



1. M. min'imus, (L.) Scape 2 — 4 inches high. Leaves 1 — 2 inches 

 long, very narrow, radical. Flowers minute. Spikes of carpels terete, 

 tapering. — Pale yellow. @. April. Geo. and lou. 



Genus VII— CALTHA. 1.12—12. (Cowslip. Marsh Marigold.) 

 (From the Greek kalathos, a goblet.) 



Calyx colored. Sepals 5 — 9, resembling petals. Petals 

 none. Stamens numerous. Follicles numerous, compressed, 

 many-seeded. Seeds ovate, raphe prominent. 



1. C. ficarioi'des, (Pursh.) Stem erect, 1-flowered, 1-leaved, radi- 

 cal. Leaves petioled, cordate-ovate, obtuse, sparingly-toothed, many- 

 nerved. Sepals elliptic. — Yellow.- % . 8 — 12 in. Swamps. 



The Caltha possesses the same acrid properties as the Ranunculus, but by boiling is 

 rendered harmless, and is prepared for food in early spring. 



Genus VIII— ISOPY' RUM. T. & G. 12—12. 

 (From the Greek isos, equal, and puros, wheat; the allusion uncertain.) 



Sepals 5, petaloid. Petals wanting. Stamens 10 — 40. 

 Ovaries 3 — 20. Follicles ovate, or oblong. 



1. biterna'tum, (T. <fc G.) (Enemion biternatum, Raf.) Slender herb, 

 with leaves 2 — 3-ternately divided, the segments 2 — 3-lobed. Flowers 

 axillary and terminal. Carpels 3 — 6, broadly ovate, divaricate, nerved, 

 2-seeded. — ©. Kentucky and Florida. * 



Gem s IX.— AQUILE'GIA. L. 12—5. (Columbine.) 

 (Latin name aqaila, an eagle.) 



Sepals 5, deciduous, colored. Petals 5, somewhat bilabiate, 

 each petal being produced into a spur, projecting between the 

 Bepals. Follicles 5, many-seeded, terminated by a style 



1. A. Canadensis, (L.) Stem 12 — is inches high. Leaves on long 

 8-cleft footstalks, temate and biternate, leaflets Lobed and crenate, 

 glaucous. FUmen pendulous, spurs straight, ^tamens ezsert, nume- 

 rous, disposed in several parcels. — Scarlet, tinged with yellow. $. 

 Mountains. May. 



Aqailegla iffardl beautiful ornaments for the flower garden, and as such several 

 ■ ; tlvated. 



