Order IV. 
POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
489 
8061 Leaves trifid silky, Lobes broad toothed cut, Stem and petiole with reflex ed hairs. Grains hooked 
8062 A small variety of R hirsutus, with a dwarf 1-flowered stem 
8063 Lvs. reniform 3-5-lobed with broad entire blunt lobes, Pet. scarcely longer than cal. Petals 5-12 [bristles 
8064 The submersed lvs. capill. multifid : emersed 3-part. with cuneif lobes tooth, at end. Grains hispid with stiff 
8065 The submersed lvs. capillary multifid : emersed 3-part. with cuneif lobes toothed at end. Grains smooth 
8066 All the leaves capillary multifid. Pet. obovate larger than calyx, Grains smooth 
8067 Leaves smooth : radical 3-parted ; cauline multifid with lin. lobes, Grains with long prickles on each side 
8068 Lvs. vill. : radic. stalk, ov. 3-part. cut ; floral 3-part. Stem erect dichotom. with spread, hairs. Grains muric. 
8069 Lvs. smooth stalk, bifid. Lobes oval obi. divaricat. : the mid. entire, Sheaths auricled at base. Stem filiform 
8070 Radical leaves round with 5 cut lobes : cauline sessile palmate. Stem pubescent, Cal. subvillous 
8071 Rad. lvs. trifid beyond midd. with cuneif trifid lobes, Stem with spread, hairs. Grains hooked with style 
8072 Lvs. smooth stalk, roundish 3-lob. coarsely tooth. Pedunc. opp. lvs. Cal. spreading. Grains muricatecornute 
8073 Lvs. vill. round 3-lob. coarsely tooth. Stems soft decumb. Cal. reflexed as long as pet. Grains tuberculate 
8074 Sepals 5-10 spreading. Pet. 10-15 shorter than stamens 
8075 Sepals 15 globose. Pet. 5-10 the length of stamens 
8076 Sepals 10 spreading. Pet. 10 longer than stamens 
8077 Caps. 10-20, Sepals acute. Root slender nearly simple perpendicular 
8078 Caps. 1-3, Sepals blunt. Root creeping grumous 
8079 Sepals 6-8-oblong 
8080 Radical leaves pedate smooth. Scape leafless with 1-2-fl. and bractes 
8081 Radical leaves pedate smooth : cauline subseisile palmate, Sepals roundish ovate green 
8082 Radical leaves palmate downy beneath, Segm. cuneate at base 3-5-lobed at end. Sepals roundish colored 
8083 Radical leaves palmate downy beneath, Segm. obi. undivided serrate at end. Sepals ovate obi. acute green 
8084 Radical leaves very smooth pedate : cauline subsessile palmate. Sepals roundish green 
8085 Stem many-fl. leafy. Leaves pedate very smooth with obi. linear segments 
8086 Stem many-fl. leafy, Leaves 3 cut smooth glaucous beneath, Segments ovate-lanceolate 
8087 Leaves trifid with obovate toothed blunt 3-lobed segments. Scape 1-flowered 
This remark of Dr. Pulteney's is the more important, as in the Swedish experiments the R. aquatilis is re- 
corded as the only one rejected by all the species of domestic cattle ; of the common sorts, there is no doubt 
but that R. Flammula, bulbosus, acris, sceleratus, and arvensis are acrimonious. Before the introduction of 
Cantharides they were used as vesicatories, and are said to act with less pain than flies, without any effect on 
the urinary passages ; but their action is related to be uncertain, and they are accused of frequently leaving 
ill-conditioned ulcers. 
The acrimony, even of the most virulent, is wholly dissipated in drying ; so that in form of hay they appear 
to be harmless. It is also expelled in decoction ; accordingly, the shepherds of Morlachia boil the R. scelera- 
tus and eat it ; and both R. auricomus and repens are said to be wholly inoffensive, and are ranked by some 
authors among oleraceous plants. 
The Ranunculi give out their acrimony wholly in distillation. The distilled water of R. sceleratus is intensely 
acrimonious ; and when cold deposits crystals, which are scarcely soluble in any menstruum, and are of an 
inflammable nature. 
1234. Trollius. A name given to this plant by Conrad Gesner. It is derived from trol or trolen, an old 
German word, signifying something round, in allusion to the form of the flowers. The species are showy 
flowers for the general border, and of the easiest possible culture. 
1235. Jsopyrum. A name given by the Greeks to a plant resembling Nigella, the seeds of which had 
the same taste. These are small herbaceous plants related to Nigella, but with the habit of Tha- 
lictrum. 
1236. Eranthis. From s§«, the earth, and avB-og, flower, because the bright yellow blossoms seem to lie upon 
the earth. A pretty little tuberous rooted plant, valuable for the early period at which it flowers. 
1237. Helleborus. From iXtiv, to cause death, and food. The dangerous qualities of Hellebore are well 
known. Leathery leaved plants, most of which are evergreen, and flower in winter and early in spring. 
H. niger and fcEtidus have long been in use in popular medicine, especially the latter, as a vermifuge and 
cathartic. They are both admitted in the London Materia Medica, but being violent poisons, require caution 
in their application. H. fcetidus, from its deep green and finely divided leaves, forms a most ornamental ever- 
green bush for the shrubbery. 
1238. Coptis. From xocrru, to cut, in reference to the numerous divisions of the leaves. Small plants, with 
the habit of Trientalis. 
