18G 
CALYCIFLORi'E. 
Cotyledon aquatica, Sloane , I. 212. — Hydrocotyle foliis 
peltatis, umbellis multifloris, Browne , Jam. 185. — H. um- 
bellata, Swartz , Obs. FIL i U • 
II A B. Common in slow running water. 
F L. Throughout the year. 
Root composed of a tuft of capillary fibres. Leaves on 
a long petiole (2-5 inches or more in length). Scape 
usually of the same length as the petiole. Leaflets of the 
involucre 4, ovate, minute, deciduous. Flowers pedicelled, 
with a small concave scale to each pedicel. Petals 5, 
ovate, acute. Ovary orbicular, compressed, ribbed. — This 
is a common plant in all the intertropical parts of Ame- 
rica. To the taste it is warm and sharp, and is said to 
produce vomiting. If eaten, inadvertently, mixed with 
water cresses, from growing together, it is likely to pro- 
duce vomiting and purging. I have met with cases of 
this description, in which, I have no doubt, this was the 
case. It has received the name of sheep’s bane, from 
being accounted poisonous to that animal. It is employed 
by the Portuguese to remove discolorations of the skin. 
2. Hydrocotyle brevipes. Short-stalked Pen- 
ny-wort. 
Stem elongated prostrate rooting at the joints, 
leaves on long petioles reniform 7 nerved crenato- 
lobate, above and along the petioles hairy, some- 
what glabrous beneath, peduncles axillary very 
short, umbels few-flowered capitate villous. 
H. humilior, Browne , Jam. 185 ? — H. brevipes, DC. 
Prod. IV. 6^ 
II A B. Between sixteen-mile walk, and St. Mary’s. 
Browne. — On damp rocks, near Morse’s gap, St. George’s, 
F L. October — November. 
Stem herbaceous, filiform. Leaves distant: petiole 4- 
5 inches in length, filiform, glabrous, furnished at the base 
with a pair of thin diaphanous ovate scales. Scape axil- 
lary, scarcely an inch in length, filiform, erect. Involu- 
cral leaves minute, lanceolate. Flowers about 10, very 
shortly pedicelled. Petals ovate, acute. Styles 2, short, 
reflexed: stigmata capitate. Fruit of an orange-yellow, 
compressed. 
