I. RANUNCULACE2E. 



15 



leaves on long stalks, rounded or reni- 

 form and but little cut. Stem-leaves 

 few, sessile, divided to the base into nar- 

 row segments, which are entire or slightly 

 toothed. Carpels of the size of those of 

 the meadow _K., but downy. 



In woods and bushy places in northern 

 and central Europe and Russian and 

 western Asia. Erequent in England and 

 Ireland, less so in Scotland, and scarce 

 in the Highlands. Fl. spring. 



Fig. 16. 



9. Meadow Ranunculus. Ranunculus acris, Linn. (Eig. 17.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 652. Crowfoot. Buttercups*) 

 A perennial, very variable in size, but 

 generally one of the tallest of our species, 

 more or less covered with soft hairs, 

 which are mostly spreading, but deflexed 

 on the lower parts of the stem, and ap- 

 pressed on the peduncles. Stems erect, 

 often 2 or 3 feet high, but in poor or 

 mountain stations sometimes not 6 inches. 

 Leaves nearly all stalked and deeply di- 

 vided into 3, 5, or 7 palmate segments, 

 which are again cut into 3 toothed lobes, 

 the divisions lanceolate and acute, those 

 of the lower leaves broader and some- &* 



times wedge-shaped, the upper ones narrower and fewer. Elowers 

 rather large, bright yellow, on long terminal peduncles, forming usually 

 large loose panicles. Sepals yellowish-green, concave, shorter than the 

 petals, spreading horizontally, but not reflexed on the peduncle. Car- 

 pels ovate, compressed, glabrous, in a globular head. 



In meadows and pastures, cultivated and waste places, very common 

 throughout Europe and Russian Asia, and naturalized in North Ame- 

 rica. Very abundant in Britain. Fl. early summer, and sometimes 

 till late in autumn. In mountain pastures it is often small, with only 

 one or very few flowers. 



10. Creeping Ranunculus. Ranunculus repens, Linn. (Fig. 18.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 516.) 

 With the flowers and fruit of the meadow H., this species is easily 

 distinguished by the runners shooting from among the radical leaves, 



# These names are popularly applied to nearly all the specie3 of Ranunculus 

 with bright yellow flowers and divided leaves. 



