Jpebruarg. 
HEPATICA TRILOBA. 
NAT. CLASI5,—DICOTYLEDONES ; ORDER,— RANUNCULACEÆ. ART. 
CLASS,—POLYANDRIA ; ORDER,-POLYGYNIA. 
The root consists of a bundle of fibres, surmounted 
by numerous scales, from among which proceed the 
radical leaves and flower-stalks. The leaves hâve long 
pétioles, and the limb is subdivided into three broad 
lobes. Each flower-stalk bears a single flower, imme- 
diately below which is seated a tbree-lobed involucrum, 
which, from its position and coloured character, has 
been sometimes considered a calyx. The true perianth 
is composed of calyx only, generally consisting of six 
sepals, arranged in a double sériés. Occasionally a 
third sériés is developed of three more. The sepals 
are bright blue in the présent variety, but in others 
they are either red or white. The stamens and pistils 
are numerous, each of the latter containing a single 
pendulous ovule. 
