'I 
to the leaves, and stand on round erect stalks, without bracteas. The corolla is of a bright yellow colour, 
composed of five roundish, somewhat concave, heart-shaped petals, with short claws and a very minute 
nectary. The Calyx consists of five ovate, obtuse, slightly villous, concave, yellowish, deciduous leaves. 
The stamens are numerous, and the other parts of the flower resemble those of the preceding species. 
General Qualities of the Ranunculi. — The roots of the R. bulbosus appear to consist of 
albumen, mixed with ligneous fibre. If the root be macerated in cold water, it gives a solution of this sub- 
stance, which coagulates in floccules on the application of heat; and undergoes the same process slowly on 
the admixture of alcohol. The juice of some yield nitric acid; but the most interesting constituent in most 
of the species of ranunculus is the acrid principle, which pervades every part of the plant in its green state. 
Like the acrimony of the arum, it is volatile, and disappears in drying, or upon the application of heat. It 
differs, however, in not being destroyed by a moderate heat, and in being fully preserved by distillation. 
Professor Bigelow subjected various species of this family to this experiment, and always found the distilled 
water to possess a strong acrimony : while the decoction, and portions of the plant remaining in the retort, 
were wholly destitute of this property. This distilled water, when first taken into the mouth, excited no 
particular effect; but after a few seconds, a sharp, stinging sensation was produced. When swallowed, a 
great sense of heat took place in the stomach. Some distilled water of the R. repens, was kept in a close- 
stopped phial for several months, and retained its acrimony undiminished. In winter time it froze, and on 
thawing lost this property. 
Properties and Medical Uses, &c. — Both ancient and modern writers on botany, and materia 
medica, agree in attributing to many species of the genus Ranunculus a corrosive and poisonous quality^ 
In several, it abounds in such a degree as, when applied externally, in a recent state, to excite vesications, 
and ulceration of the parts, which often assume a malignant or gangrenous disposition ; and taken inter- 
nally they prove poisonous, by inducing vomiting, inflammation of the stomach, and the usual consequences 
of acrid poisons. These qualities, according to Dr. Pulteney, are particularly manifest in the recent plant, 
while in its highest vigour before flowering; and more intensely in the germen of the flower itself, and in 
the petals of some . 
The poisonous species that are indigenous and common in England, are the R. Flammula; R. bulbosus; 
R. acris ; R. sceleratus ; and the R. arvensis ; Of these the Flammula, bulbosus and sceleratus, are judged to 
be the most acrimonious. 
Before the introduction of Cantharides, the acrid Ranunculi were all, in their turn, used as vesica- 
tories, and Haller tells us, that the R. flammula is still in use as such in some parts of France : and as the 
two species we have figured have obtained places in the materia medica of the Dublin college, we suppose 
they are intended to be employed for this purpose amongst the paupers of Ireland. Gilibert assures us, 
that the R. bulbosus vesicates with less pain than the Spanish flies. He therefore gives it a decided prefer- 
ence as an epispastic. Other authors allow these properties in the Ranunculi ; and state that they exert 
their effects sooner than the Cantharides; but as their action is uncertain, and as many instances are re- 
corded by Murray and others, of their producing ill-conditioned ulcers, they are not employed in this 
country. The latter author states, that a slice of the fresh root of R. bulbosus placed in contact with the 
inside of the finger, brought on a sense of pain in two minutes. When taken off, the skin was found with- 
out redness, and the sense of heat and itching ceased. In two hours, however, it returned again, and in 
ten hours a full serious blister was raised. This was followed by an ulcer of bad character, and difficult to 
heal. He remarks, that if the application is continued after the first itching, the pain, and subsequent 
erosion are much greater. And it is a well-known fact, that soldiers, and mendicants, often resort to these 
plants to produce ulcers on their legs ; the former to procure their discharge, and the latter to excite com- 
miseration. 
With a view to their external stimulation they have been used advantageously in rheumatism, in hip 
disease, hemicrania, and fixed pains of various descriptions. Amongst the old practitioners who have re- 
corded instances of their effects, are Baglivi, Stork, and Sennertus. A curious practice formerly prevailed 
in several countries of Europe, of applying the ranunculus to the wrists, or fingers, for the cure of inter- 
mittent fevers. This is mentioned by Van Swieten, Tissot, and some others. In hemicrania it was applied 
to the head, and in this case did not produce a discharge, nor break the skin ; but occasioned tumefaction 
of the hairy scalp. Chesnau, quoted by Murray, advises that the ranunculus be applied to a small surface 
only, and through a perforation of adhesive plaster, to keep it from spreading. From want of this caution, 
he had known extensive inflammation to arise, and spread over a great part of the face, neck, and breast. 
The burning sensation which the Ranunculi excite in the mouth when chewed, extends, as we have 
already observed to the stomach, if they are swallowed. Krapf states, that a small portion of a leaf, or flower 
of R. sceleratus, or two drops of the juice, excited acute pain in the stomach, and a sense of inflammation 
in the throat. He gave a quantity of the juice to a dog, which produced vomiting and great distress; and 
the animal being killed, was found to have the stomach inflamed and contracted. 
