16 
BRITISH WILT) FLOWERS. 
1-—THE COMMON MARSH-MARIGOLD. (Caltha faltjstris, Lin.') 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 506; 2d ed., t. 798 ; and our Jig. 2, in PL 3. 
Specific Character. —Stem erect. Leaves heart-shaped, rounded. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This is one of the most showy of the British plants, and it is also one of the most 
common, as there are few ponds or slow rivers in Great Britain that have not some of these plants growing on 
their borders in April and May. The young flower-buds are pickled as a substitute for capers, and their 
acridity, when softened by the vinegar used in pickling them, gives them nearly the same flavour. In some 
parts of the country they are called horse-blobs; and unpoetical as this name is, Clare, the Northamptonshire 
poet, has contrived to introduce it in rhyme :— 
“ Beneath the slieloing bank’s retreat, 
The Horse Blob swells its golden ball. 
While another poet more harmoniously describes a marsh, where— 
“ Caltha in green and gold refulgent towers, 
And isles of splendour shine, whose radiance pours 
A glory o’er the scene. 
THE CREEPING MARSH-MARIGOLD. (C. radicans, Lin.) 
This plant is not remarkable for its beauty; but it deserves mentioning as being distinct from the other 
species. Its leaves are also curious from their triangular shape. 
GENUS IX. 
THE HELLEBORE. (Hellebores, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx persistent, of five sepals, which are Ovaries 3—10. Stigmas terminal, orbicular. Follicles coriaceous; 
i-oundish, obtuse, large, and often green. Petals 8—10, very short, seeds arranged in a double row, elliptical, umbilicated. (Dec.) 
tubular, narrow, and nectariferous at the base. Stamens 30—60. 
Description, &c. —This genus consists of a few hardy perennial herbs, only two of which are natives of 
Britain. The Christmas rose, so well known for its ornamental flowers, belongs to this genus, but it is a native 
of Austria. TIelleborus is derived from two Greek words, signifying injurious food, in allusion to the poisonous 
nature of the plants. The follicles of the Hellebore are somewhat different from those of most of the other plants 
belonging to the Crow-foot tribe, as they grow together, so as to look like one seed-vessel, till they are closely 
examined. 
1.—THE STINKING HELLEBORE. (IIelleborus fcetidus, Lin.) 
Synonymes. —Bear’s foot; Setter-wort. l Specific Character. —Stem many-floivered, leafy. Leaves pedate. 
Engravings_ Eng. Bot., t. 613; 2d ed., t. 801 ; and our Jig. 3, i Petals converging. (Smith.) 
in PI. 3. I 
Description, &c. —This is a very singular plant, from its curious leaves, the footstalks of which are wider 
than the blades. This plant, though tolerably common in England, is seldom found except on the borders of 
