I 
8 INTRODUCTION. 
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duced into Europe from Syria, at the 
time of the Crufades ; but in this, as well 
as other Flowers, we find the moil confi- 
derable improvements made within the 
laft fifty years, both on the continent of 
Europe, and in England. The word 
Ranunculus is fuppofed to be derived 
from Rana, a Frog; this derivation proba¬ 
bly originated from the known partiality 
of the Ranunculus to a cool and moift 
fituation, while in a ftate of vegetation, 
as the plant does not appear to have any 
refemblance in its fhape to that animal. 
The Anemone is of the fame clafs and 
order as the Ranunculus; according to 
Linnaeus, it is the Anemone coronaria; 
five. Anemone foliis radicalibus ternato 
decompofitis, involucro foliofo : i. e. 
Crown Anemone; or Anemone with 
radical Leaves three-decompound, and a 
leafy involucrum. 
The 
