which are slightly notched. Stipules less adnate to the petioles,
the connection usually extending through about one-third
of the length of the former; broad in proportion to their length:
in 72. hederaceus they are more than half adnate and relatively
much narrower. Petals white or slightly tinged with pink,
their base yellowish, longer than the calyx and usually broader
than those of its ally, which are narrow and often scarcely
longer than the calyx; but this is not a constant character, as
occasionally they may be found almost as large and long as
those of R. Lenormandi; still always, we think, relatively
narrower. The ripe carpels are half-obovate with a terminal,
but not central, acute point; in R. hederaceus they are halfoval
and very blunt at the end, the point bearing the style
being lateral and considerably below their rounded extremity.
It is remarked in the Flore de Paris that the ripe carpels of
this plant are usually greenish, whilst those are rather white. of 72. hederaceus
The want of submersed divided leaves, and more especially
the absence of setae from the receptacle, distinguish this plant
from R. aquatilis and its allies, to some of which it bears a close
external resemblance, particularly to the R. Petiveri of Koch
(72. ololeucos, Lloyd; 72. tripartitus /3. obtusiflorus, DeC.),
which has been recently found in Surrey by Mr. Watson, and
near Bristol by Mr. Borrer.
This Crowfoot has been observed near the head of Coniston
Water in Lancashire by Mr. Jas. Backhouse, jun.; in Cumberland
and near Esher and Claygate, Surrey, by Mr. H. C.
Watson; near Plymouth by Mr. J. W. N. Keys; in various
parts of Surrey, Sussex, North and South Wales, and the
West of England, by Mr. Borrer; in Need wood Forest,
Staffordshire, and Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, by the
writer; and in some other places to which we have no reference.
It is probably generally distributed throughout England, and
may be expected to be equally common in Ireland, although
not as yet observed, we believe, in that country.
On the continent of Europe it is at present known to inhabit
the Asturias and western parts of France. We are indebted
to Mr. R. Lenormand of Vire for beautiful specimens of this
plant (which is named in his honour), gathered from its original
station near to that town.
The flowers are continuously produced during the spring
and summer months.
A head of fruit and one carpel of 72. hederaceus are added
to the plate (marked b) to show their difference.—C. C. B.