THE ACONITE FAMILY. 



519 



case in Silesia, where they are gathered and used as food, 

 being very mealy, and not unwholesome when boiled. 



Water Crowfoot {^Ranunculus aquatilis). A native of 

 this country, and, as its name implies, growing entirely in 

 water, occupying ditches, rivers and ponds to a great extent, 

 giving the surface a gay appearance with its pretty white 

 flowers. It has leaves of two kinds, the floating ones being 

 like little round shields, and the submerged ones fine and 

 thread-like. This is one of the few wholesome species of 

 the family. In some parts of England cows are entirely fed 

 on it during the winter ; they, as well as horses and hogs, 

 eating it greedily. 



Water Celery {Ranunculus sceleratus) . An annual, native 

 of Britain, growing abundantly in ditches and wet places. 

 It is something like celery, but highly acrid, blistering the 

 mouth and skin, and is said to be used by beggars for making 

 artificial sores. In Scotland the same use is made of the 

 Lesser Spearwort {R. Flammula), but wounds so made often 

 become incurable. 



Ranunculus acris^ R. hulbosus, and R. repens, are common 

 British plants, enlivening woods and meadows in the month 

 of May with their brilliant yellow flowers, called king cups 

 and gold cups, and are supposed to be the " cuckoo buds of 

 yellow hue" of Shakspeare. Like the preceding they are 

 acrid and blistering, often inflaming the mouths of cattle, as 

 does also the annual Corn Weed arvensis). 



Marsh Marigold {Caltha palustris). A beautiful plant, 

 growing abundantly by river -banks and marshy places. It 

 is commonly reputed to be acrid and poisonous. The flower- 

 buds have been used as capers. 



May-Apple or Duck's-Foot {Podophyllum peltatum). A 

 native of the United States, where it is found in great abun- 

 dance growing in damp shady woods. It has large shield- 

 like lobed leaves and white flowers ; its fi:uit is egg-shaped 

 in form and about the size of a small lemon. The root and 

 leaves of the plant are acrid and poisonous, but the pulp of 

 the fruit is less so, and contains active medicinal qualities, 



