556 
ON PLANTS IN RELATION TO ANIMALS. 
in this epidemic, are noted, we are obliged to admit the evi¬ 
dence. The solution of such problems would facilitate 
prophylactics, and perhaps extinguish even serious diseases. 
ON PLANTS IN RELATION TO ANIMALS. 
By Professor James Buckman, E.G.S., F.L.S., &c. 
Whoever is professionally engaged in regulating the well¬ 
being of the animal economy, whether he be a physician in 
attendance upon the higher animal man, or one whose pro¬ 
fession is to study the health of those lower creatures subject 
to man’s control, will find that somehow or other plants will 
have to be studied and thought about at every turn. 
If for a moment we reflect upon the thousands of forms in 
the vegetable kingdom which the practitioner has to deal 
with, either as food or medicine, we shall be led to conclude 
that a practical acquaintance with plants is a necessity alike 
for the physician and the veterinarian. 
Now, as plants are everywhere around us, we purpose to 
direct attention to such forms as can readily be got at, dwell¬ 
ing more particularly upon the more important natural orders, 
and pointing out chiefly from our native flora the more salient 
points in their structure and classification, while we direct 
particular attention to those in which we are more immedi¬ 
ately concerned in their relation to the economy of animals. 
We have ever found that the study of an order at a time 
is the quickest way of impressing the general facts of botani¬ 
cal science upon the memory, while the practical details con¬ 
nected with their indications and uses serve to impress the 
student with the utility of the science which professes to ex¬ 
plain them. 
Bearing these views in mind, then, we commence with a 
review of the wild plants of our fields which, from being 
allied to the ranunculus or buttercup, have been collected 
into a natural order called— 
RaNUNCULACEjE. 
In as far as our native species are concerned, this order 
presents us a very varied series, mostly of herbaceous plants 
agreeing in the following points. Both the stamens and 
pistils are numerous, the former are distinct and situate be¬ 
neath the ovaries, while the latter are separate through their 
whole length. 
