THB 
LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
OP 
ORNAMENTAL ANNUALS. 
CHAPTER I. 
RANUNCULACEiE Dec. 
Botanical Character of the Order. — Sepals and petals numerous. 
Stamens hypogynous (growing from beneath the pistils), numerous. 
Ovaria numerous, aggregrate. In many genera the sepals are changed 
into petals, and the petals into nectaries. Herbs and shrubs with 
alternate leaves. Acrid and venomou».^(G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — All the plants belonging to the order Ranunculaceae, partake more or less of the character 
of the common crowfoot, or Ranunculus ; that is, they have all several distinct carpels or seed-vessels growing 
close together, and their stamens grow from beneath these carpels. They have generally handsome flowers of 
brilliant colours. The stems of all these plants discharge, when broken, a thin watery juice, which is very 
acrid, so much so indeed that in some species it blisters the skin. The bruised leaves of some kinds, bound 
tightly on a slight wound, will produce an ulcer, and the seeds are poisonous if taken internally; these 
qualities are much stronger in some of the plants belonging to the order than in others, but they exist to a 
certain degree in all. Nearly all the kinds arc perfectly hardy, and will grow in any soil, but most of them 
prefer a somewhat damp loam. They are nearly all very tenacious of life, and their seeds will keep several years 
without losing their vitality. The genera belonging to this order which contain ornamental garden annuals, 
are, Adonis, Delphinium, Nigella, Garidella, and Platystemon ; the last forming the connecting link between 
Banunculaceas and Papaveraceae, and being by many botanists classed in the latter order. 
GENUS I. 
ADONIS Lin. THE FLOS ADONIS, OR PHEASANT'S EYE. 
Un. Syst. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character Calyx of 5 sepals, generally attached at the 
base. Petalso to 15, withanakedclaw. Stamens numerous. Cai-pels 
numerous, two-seeded, spiked, ovate. Cotyledons distant. Leaves 
pinnate, parted into multifid lobes, with linear lobules. Flowers 
solitary on the points of the stem and branches, — (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The Flos Adonis is remarkable for its slender branch-like leaves, and its small terminal 
flowers, the petals of which are smooth and shining, and peep from amidst the bushy leaves like little gems. Its 
B 
