The species of Ranunculus have been thus fully described, as
they are relatively common plants, and most of them spread over
the State. They have few interesting properties, and, like very
many others, are not employed to any very beneficial purpose.
D elphinium. L. 12. 2. Larkspur.
Five or six species are cultivated in the gardens, for their
beauty. The Bee Larkspur bears a flower which has, at a little
distance, a striking resemblance to a bee. Some of these species
are not found in common gardens^ and have not been introduced
many years.
A conitum. L. 12. 5.
A. napellus. L. Monk’s Hood, is often found for ornament
in gardens. The bright, glossy, green leaves, and singular
flower, make it a beautiful plant. Strong, acrid property. Named
from a town in Bithynia, where it grows, viz. Acona. Loudon.
Another species is also seen, but more rarely ; fine palmate
leaves, and flexuous or zigzag stem.
Nigella. L. 12. 5.
AT. Damascena. L. Fennel-flower, with its white or. light-
blue flowers, surrounded by a large, pinnate, and much-divided
involucre, and covered with its similar leaves, is a fine plant for
gardens ; its large capsule resembles a rattle-box.
As the stamens have short filaments, and are below, and removed
from the pistil, the styles bend over, and bring down their
stigmas in contact with the anthers, so as to receive the pollen and
be fertilized. This contrivance is palpable to every observer,
and illustrates one particular in vegetable physiology.
The black color of the seeds gives name to the genus, from the
Latin for black. The seeds of this and some other species, are
used to adulterate pepper. Loudon.
A donis. L . 12. 13.
A. autumnalis. L , Pheasant’s Eye. Is so named from
its coral-red flower; and often called Soldier-in-green, from
its fine bright-green foliage," terminated by a scarlet corolla.
Some of this genus are employed as emmenagogues. The plant
was fancied to have sprung up from the blood of the wounded
Adonis. Loudon.
P jEonia. L. 12. 3. Peony.
P. officinalis. L ., is the well-known Peony of our gardens.
As the flower becomes double, or the stamens change into petals,
by cultivation, it is admired for its large head of petals, as well as
for its fine foliage. It is a hardy plant, finding safe winter quarters
in its large tuberous roots, from which it rises early in the spring.
The root is said to be acrid and bitter, and antispasmodic (Lind.) ;
but the two former properties are slight in its cultivated state.
It is sometimes grated and given as a stomachic.
Named after Paeon, a physician of antiquity, who used it in
medicine. Loudon.
Many of the species are splendid ornaments of the greenhouse.
ORDER 4. PA P A V ERA CEiE.
Calyx 2-leafed, or having 2 sepals, deciduous, with corolla
of 4 petals, or some multiple of 4, and many hypogynous
stamens ; germ Or ovarium single, without a style, or having only
a short one, containing numerous seeds. The plants contain a
milky or yellow juice ; leaves divided ; flowers not yellow.
Lind.
The poisonous properties of this order are well known. It
does not contain a great many plants, and a large proportion are
found in Europe ; a few in our country. The appearance of a
milky juice in plants should always lead to caution in the use of
them. Opium, the substance formed from the juice of some
plants of this order, is from the Greek for juice.
C helidonium. L. 12. 1.
C. majus. L. Celandine. Stem two feet high, with pinnate
leaves, pale-green, and rather glaucous ; flowers yellow, in a
sparse umbel, and their parts fall off prematurely; a bright-
yellow juice abounds in all parts of the plant, unless the seed is
an exception ; grows about yards and fences, and flowers in