OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. jg 
in gardens ; which are all distinguished from all the other species of the genus by the compact, ball-like, 
appearance of the double flowers ; and by the petals in all being obovate or nearly oval and very blunt in shape, 
and longer than the calyx. The carpels are also smooth, and very much compressed, with a deeply hooked 
stigma ; and the head they form is cylindrical, instead of being globose, as in the common buttercup. The 
leaves are deeply cut into three large segments, each of which is generally divided into three others, which are 
more or less cut again into narrow lobes. When well grown, each flower should have a strong straight stem 
from six inches to a foot high. The flowers should be bell-shaped, and at least two inches in diameter, with the 
petals laid regularly over each other. The petals should be of rich brilliant colours, each being clearly marked ; 
and each petal should have an entire well-rounded edge. There are innumerable varieties, for no plant varies 
more when raised from seed ; but they may be all traced to one of three kinds, which some botanists consider 
as varieties, and others as distinct species. These are R. a.\ vulgaris, commonly called the Persian Ranunculus. 
In this variety the leaves are cut into three large lobes, and then into numerous narrow segments, which are also 
disposed in threes, and which are narrow and sharply pointed. The flowers are very variable in colour, and they 
are frequently only semi-double. The second variety, R. a 2 sanguineus, has very double flowers, which are always 
of some very dark colour, and generally crimson or scarlet, or very dark purple or orange. The leaves are in three 
large lobes, which are cut into smaller segments, but the segments are not disposed in threes, and they are 
always obtuse at the points. This kind is called the Turban Ranunculus, and it is a native of Turkey and Syria. 
The third kind, 2?. a 3 tenuilohus, which is called the Venetian or Cretan Ranunculus, is a native of Cyprus, and 
has always white or yellow flowers. The leaves are much cut into a number of linear lobee, none of which are 
much longer than the others. This Ranunculus is a tuberous-rooted plant, the tubers, which are called the claws, 
being what is called fascicled, and resembling a number of small carrots, growing togetlier, and having a common 
centre. These tubers are purchased in tlie seed-shops, being imported from Holland ; and the best time for 
planting them is the beginning of February. They may, however, also be planted in October ; but it is rather 
remarkable, that the roots planted in autumn flower only a few days sooner than those planted in February. No 
Ranunculus will flower well in summer; as, though they are natives of a warm climate, they flower there 
in winter, or in the rainy season of the year ; they therefore require coolness and moisture, though they cannot 
endure frost. The tubers may either be planted in the open border if the soil be loamy and rich, or in boxes ; 
but if it be wished that they should flower particularly well, a bed may be prepared for them in the following 
manner : — A pit should be dug of any required length, about four feet wide, and eighteen inches deep ; and at 
the bottom should be placed a layer of two years old rotten cowdung six or eight inches thick. The bed should 
then be filled in with fresh strong loamy soil, procured, if possible, from an old pasture ; and it should be raised 
four inches above the surface of the garden, to allow for the soil sinking. The surface of the bed should tlien be 
raked even, care being taken not to press the earth too close, as the plants will not thrive unless the particles of 
earth be left sufiiciently loose to allow the air to penetrate through them. When all is ready, drills should be 
made in the bed about two inches deep, and five inches apart ; and a little white sand having been laid along 
the drills, the roots should be placed in them, with their claws downwards, about four inches asunder. The bed 
should then be raked over so that the roots may be covered about an inch and a half deep. The roots will be 
some days before they vegetate, and as at this period they are much swelled by the moisture they have imbibed 
from the ground, they are extremely susceptible of injury from frost, and the bed should be covered with some 
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