DIVISION I THALAMIFLORE. Part I., chap. 1., § 5 (a). Exogenous plants. Parts of the flower usually in fours or fives or their multiples. Leaves netted. Perianth double, having calyx and corolla. Corolla polypetalous, consisting of separate petals. Stamens hypogynous, NOT united with the calyx. ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILIES. Four Families contain each several genera; the last two are *The figures preceding the names of families indicate the order in which they are described in the following pages, and which is some approximation to their natural affinity. The remaining families of this division contain each but few British genera or one only, and are arranged according to the number of stamens. * The British species of these families are either very rare or inconspicuous. "Tis wise to let the touch of nature thrill To what within your soul she seems to say." HOWITT. 1. The Ranunculus Family. Ranunculaceæ. Exogenous. Perianth double.-Polypetalous.-Hypogynous. (See page 40.) Sepals 3-6. Petals 5-15. Stamens numerous. Carpels generally numerous, and more or less distinct, especially in the fruit. Plants of this family are mostly herbaceous, with the leaves usually much divided. The leaf-stalks are spread out, and half clasp the stem. Some species have the sepals coloured, and sometimes not to be distinguished in appearance from petals. In some species both sepals and petals are singularly distorted. BRITISH GENERA. Clematis. Thalictrum. Adonis. Anemone. Myosurus. Ranunculus. Trollius. Caltha. Helleborus. Aquilegia. Delphinium. Aconitum. Actæa. Pæonia. ILLUSTRATIONS. Pile-wort or Lesser Celandine. Ranunculus ficaria.- Petals numerous. Leaves heart-shaped, often with dark spots. Appears early in spring, and continues through a considerable portion of the year. Meadow-banks, and shady places, are often spangled with its star-like flowers, bright yellow and glossy above, greenish beneath. The poet Wordsworth has bestowed many beautiful verses upon this brilliant little plant. "Buttercups, that will be seen, Others, too, of lofty mien, They have done as worldlings do, "Careless of thy neighbourhood, Thou dost show thy pleasant face In the lane; there's not a place, But 'tis good enough for thee." Goldilocks. Ranunculus auricomus.-It begins to appear about the same time as the former, and is found in hedges, dry shady places, and groves. An upright stem, with many flowers similar to the common buttercup. The lower leaves are kidney-shaped, deeply three-cleft and notched, while the upper ones are divided into narrow segments. The sepals are coloured, and spread outwards. April, May. Buttercups. There are two principal species found abundantly in meadows Ranunculus bulbosus and Ranunculus acris. They are easily distinguished. R. bulbosus comes first into flower, and has furrowed flower-stalks, and the sepals turned back. The root is bulbous. R. acris soon follows, and has round and smooth flowerstalks, and the sepals spread outwards. May, June. Another common species is R. repens, with runners like a strawberry plant, and flowers in company with the preceding. There are several other species of Ranunculus, some of which have white flowers, and are found in watery places, rivulets, ditches, &c. Buttercups and daisies are among the earliest flowers that attract the fond attention of infancy. "Nor all-forgotten be those humbler flowers Daisies and buttercups-the child's first love; Ere cares were known: Ah! joyous time! through verdant meads to rove, Wood anemone. Anemone nemorosa. Frequently found in thickets in the month of April. Sepals and petals undistinguishable. Flowers white, often tinged with purple beneath. Three cut leaves some distance beneath each flower. Pasque flower, |