with 2 or 3 pair of lobes, and a larger terminal one, all rounded, 
bluntly lobed, and notched ; the lateral lobes sometimes dilated at 
their lower margin, near the base, almost as if auricled (eared) ; of 
a deep shining green above, glaucous green underneath. Flower- 
stalks long, umbellate at the top. Calyx yellowish green, or tawny, 
smooth, sometimes hairy. Petals 4, bright yellow. Stamens vari- 
ous in number, from 20 to 25, sometimes less than 20, seldom so 
many as 30. Seeds black and shining, each with a white deciduous 
crest, (fig. 9). It approaches to the class Tetr adynamia in the cru- 
ciform shape of the corolla, and its silique or pod ; which, however, 
differs essentially, in being only 1-celled. Every part of the plant 
is brittle, and full of an orange-coloured juice, which is foetid, and 
very acrid. It is said to cure tetters and ringworms. Diluted with 
milk it consumes white opake spots on the eyes. It destroys warts, 
and cures psora. Mr. Salisbury says, in his Botanist's Companion, 
v. ii. p. 82, that it is an excellent medicine in the jaundice, and other 
obstructions of the viscera, and if taken with perseverance will do 
great service against the scurvy. It should be used fresh, as it looses 
the greatest part of its virtue in drying. The root is very bitter, and 
is greatly esteemed among the natives of Cochin-China, for a variety 
of medical purposes. 
A double-flowered variety is sometimes admitted into gardens; 
and it has been found wild near Battersea in Surrey, by Mr. W. 
Pamplin, jun. 
Variety /?, of Sir J. E. Smith’s Flora Britannica, and English 
Flora, was first mentioned as a British plant, though merely as a va- 
riety, by Dr. Dillenius, in the 3rd edition of Ray's Synopsis, p. 
309, where he informs us that it was observed plentifully among 
the ruins of the Duke of Leeds’ seat at Wimbleton, by Mr. Mar- 
tyn. This variety differs from the first in the segments of the 
leaves being cut into narrow, strap-shaped, jagged, pointed lobes ; 
and in the petals being deeply cut into 2 or 3 principal divisions, 
which are again cut or serrated. Professors De Candolle and 
Lindley consider this as a distinct species, (Chelidonium lacinia- 
tumj but Sir J. E. Smith, Dr. Withering, and Professor 
Hooker, retain it as a variety of Ch. majus. Mr. Phillip Miller 
informs us, in his Gardener's Dictionary, that he propagated it by 
seeds for more than 30 years, and never found it vary. I have 
myself cultivated it in the Oxford Botanic Garden, (where it is now 
become a weed,) nearly 20 years, and have never found it to 
change. 
