I. EANUNCULACEiE. 



17 



flowers more numerous, rather smaller, 

 and of a paler yellow, and the hairs of 

 the stem usually fewer and looser, al- 

 though in this respect both species are 

 variable. Carpels marked with a series 

 of minute tubercles (visible especially 

 when dry) within the rather broad 

 margin. 



In fields, cultivated and waste places, 

 in central and southern Europe, extend- 

 ing eastward to the Caucasus, and north- 

 ward to southern Sweden. In most parts 

 of England and southern Scotland, but 

 not generally common, and rare in Ireland. 



Fig. 20. 

 FL summer. 



13. Small-flowered Ranunculus, Ranunculus parviflorus, 

 Linn. (Eig. 21.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 120.) 



A hairy annual, with weak, prostrate 

 or ascending stems, from a few inches 

 to about a foot in length. Leaves nearly 

 orbicular, the lower ones 5-lobed or cre- 

 nate, the upper ones divided into 3 or 

 5 segments, which are more or less lobed, 

 but generally less so than in the hairy 

 R. Peduncles short, mostly opposite to 

 the leaves. Elowers small and yellow, 

 the petals narrow, seldom exceeding the 

 calyx. Carpels covered with small tu- 

 bercles. 



In cultivated and waste places in western and southern Europe, and 

 apparently the same species in Australia and New Zealand. Not com- 

 mon in Britain, although occurring in many parts of England and Ire- 

 land ; not known in Scotland. FL spring and summer. 



Fig. 21. 



11. Corn Ranunculus. Ranunculus arvensis, Linn. (Eig. 22.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 135.) 



An erect, branching, nearly glabrous annual, of a pale green, 6 to 

 18 inches high. Leaves deeply cut into narrow segments. Elowers 

 small, of a pale yellow. Carpels few, rather large, much flattened, co- 



YOL. I. c 



