sible qualities, the Ranunculacese have many structural affinities; their numerous carpels, the
number of their floral divisions, indefinite stamens, and the analogous habit observed in many
species of both orders, all indicate this relationship; but, they are at once distinguished by the
petals and stamens in Rosacese, being inserted on the calyx, or perigynous, while in Ranuncula-
ceee, they are both inserted under the ovaries, or, hypogynous.
Many other analogies might be indicated, but enough has been said to show the absolute
necessity of attending to every point of structure in determining the order of any plant under
examination, for, the order once ascertained, it is in general a comparatively easy task to make
out the genus : one, and not the least of the advantages which the natural method possesses
over the artificial, or sexual, system; as in it, a glance often serves tp ascertain the class and
order of a plant, but leaves the difficulty of determining the genus little of all diminished,
while in all cases of departure from the regular form, such as the addition or suppression of a
stamen or pistil, not a very rare occurrence, the Botanist unacquainted with the laws which
give rise to, and regulate these metamorphoses, has no guide to direct him, where else in the
system, to look fpr the plant under investigation. With the view therefore of facilitating the
determination of orders, I shall usually append a summary of the essential characters of each l
promising, however that these summaries must be received with considerable latitude, as it
is often impossible to compress within a few words even the leading characters only: but theyf
may serve as helps, by directing attention to those points of structure which are considered esr
sential to the order.
E ssential C haracter. Flowers polypetalous, polyandrous, ovaries wholly superior: leaves
without stipules : seeds without an aril, with copious fleshy albumen. A few have definite
stamens, and Clematis, Thalictrum, and some others, are without petals; but agree in all
other respects with the characters indicated.
G eographical D istribution. As already stated, this considering its great extent,
in a remarkable degree an extra-tropical order. A few only are found in India within the
25° of North Latitude, and these, with the exception of 8 or 9 species, are confined to the
temperate climate of the higher hills, thus affording a striking instance of analogous organization
and habit, pervading nearly the whole of an extensive family of plants, and an instructive
example of the effect of these in determiping the geographical distribution of its species,
showing in another and very favourable point of view, the advantage we derive from studying
plants according to this method, since, by enabling us to generalize opr isolated observations on
the structure, habits, and peculiarities of individual plants, it suggests their extension to whole
families, and teaches us how we may by studying carefully the peculiarities of a single species,
learn by analogy those of a whole order, a sort of alebriacal piethpd, if I may so express myself,
of studying vegetable physiology, which has within the last few years led to many most
important discoveries in that science- To show that this is no hypothetical statement it is only
necessary to adduce the fact, that the generally received division of the vegetable kingdom
into three great classes, Acotyledons, Monocotyledons, and Dicotyledons, has become so sim-:
plified in its application to practice, that it is no longer necessary in determining to what class
plant belongs to undertake the often difficult and delicate operation of dissecting the seed,
since its structure is generally indicated by such palpable differences in the formation of the
stem and leaves as render the most cursory inspection of those parts sufficient to determine
the class to which the plant belongs. It would certainly be going too far out of my-way to enter
upon the examination of these distinctions here, suffice therefore to state, that such is the case,
and that a reference to any of the recently published Introductions tpBptapy, or to the conclude
ing pages of the preface of my Prodromus,* will furnish an exposition of, the observations on
which the principles are based. But to return from this digression. Twelve out of fifteen species
known to me as indigenous in this peninsula, are only found on the higher hills, the remaining
three, which are all twining shrubs, are met with on both hills and plains, hut more frequently on
the former than the latter. One of them, Climatis Gourrana, which I frequently met with in Mysore,
appears admirably suited, from thp profusion of its fine clusters of flowers, for tfie
formation of arbours in the manner some of its congenus are employed in Europe. Of the
t Prodromes Florae Penins. Ind. Oriental.
herbaceous forms, I formerly remarked (Madras Journal No. 11) that when found within the
tropics they almost invariably occupy the highest hills, where reduction of temperature, consequent
on great elevation, compensates for low latitude; that the shrubby forms partake
more of the tropical character, since they are found, sparingly it is true, in most tropical countries.
T thence inferred, and have as yet seen no reason to alter my opinion, that wherever we
meet with the former within the tropics, we may feel well assured, we have attained an
elevation sufficient to place us beyond the influence of what has been called the ‘ fever zone’
or range of jungle fever, so commonly met with in the belts of jungle, which embrace the
more elevated slopes of all our high hills; and that their absence on the Shevaroys, were we
otherwise unacquainted with the fact, might be adduced as an evidence, that they had not attained
that degree of elevation, and ought therefore to have been carefully examined, before their
perfect salubrity and suitableness for a sanatarium was proclaimed.
P roperties and U ses. Ip Europe many species of this order are deservedly held in high
esteem as affording some of the finest ornaments of the flower garden, among which may be mentioned,
the Ranunculus Asiaticus and Aconitum JYapellus ; the former, supposed to be of Persian
origin, and probably of easy introduction, from its native country, into India. Should this
he attempted, I may here mention, that it requires to bring to perfection a deep rich moderately
humid soil—As an arbour either the Clematis Gouriana, or the one here figured might be
used. The latter would certainly form an exceedingly rich and handsome one, from the snow-
white interior surfaces of its numerous large flowers contrasting finely with its dark green foliage,
but it also will require for its successful culture, a very rich and deep vegetable soil, with
abundance of water. The former may perhaps, prove of easier culture while its more numerous,
clustered, flowers might compensate for their smaller size.
Remarkable as the family likeness existing among these plants, as traced in their geographical
distribution may appear, it is even more strongly indicated in their properties. Of
these, so far as the species of lower India are concerned, nothing seems known: none of
them are represent ed by Rfieede, in his Hortus Malabaricus, nor is there any of them mentioned
byAinsliein his Materia Medicaqf Hindoostan; while Roxburgh confines his notice, of the
few he knew, to their botanical description. To the Natives of this part of the country, they
seem utterly unknown, as I have not been able to trace even a name, appertaining to any one
species, among them.
It would howeverbeinjudicious to infer from this general silence regarding the Indian representatives
of this curious tribe of plants, that they are inert, while nearly all the other members
of the family are so remarkable for the active properties with which they are endowed. ‘ Acridity,
Causticity, and Poison’ are emphatically said to be * the general characters of this
suspicious order.’ The acrid property is, however, for the most part confined to the recent
plant, the principle on which it depends being so volatile that simple drying, infusion
in water, or boiling, dissipates it, though in the recent state, it is so active that many species
excite, when applied to the skin, violent inflammation, followed by blisters: a purpose for
which th.ey were much employed, previous to the geperal iptroduction of Flies,since which they
have been nearly expelled from medical practice as epispasfeics,owing to the virulence of their operation,
and consequent liability to induce obstinate ulcers. When taken internally in sufficient
doses, several species of Clematis produce all the effects of poisoning, but have notwithstanding
been employed in several diseases, apd are said to afford valuable remedies, a statement,which
may be doubted as nearly the whole tribe, with a few exceptions, has fallen into disuse as
medicinal agents; Hellebore being almost the only one of the evacuants retained, and that,
from the uncertainty of its operation, is seldom used. The roots however, of Hydrastis canadensis,
and Coptis tri-fcliata (golden thread) are used in North America as tonics, and Dr.
Wallich informs us, that jCoptis teeta, Wall, is similarly employed in Assam. The genus
Aconitum appears to be that in which the poisonous properties are most prominently developed,
the roots of Aconitum ferox, Wall, or Bish or Bikh of the Nepalese, ranking among
the most virulent of vegetable poisons, while those of A. Napellus (the common monkshood
of English gardens) ar,e so active, as to have caused numerous accidents to Man, and are employed
by the Swiss, mixed with food, to poison the Wolves which so generally infest their
country. Might not the Nepaul one, which retains in drying its active properties, be similarly