_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ quinis plura absque nectario. _Sem._ nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ADONIS _vernalis_ flore dodecapetalo, fructu ovato. _Linn. Syst.
Vegetab. ed. Murr. p. 514._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. Vol. 2. p. 264._

HELLEBORUS niger tenuifolius, Buphthalmi flore. _Bauh. Pin. 186._

BUPHTHALMUM _Dodon. Pempt. 261._

HELLEBORUS niger ferulaceus sive Buphthalmum. The great Ox-eye, or the
great yellow Anemone. _Parkins. Parad. p. 291. f. 6._

[Illustration: No 134]

Of this plant LINNÆUS makes two species, viz. the _vernalis_
and _appennina_, differing in their specific character merely in the
number of their petals, which are found to vary from situation and
culture; as the first name taken from its time of flowering is the most
expressive, we have followed Mr. MILLER and Mr. AITON in adopting it.

It is an old inhabitant of the English gardens, and a most desirable
one, as it flowers in the spring; produces fine shewy blossoms, which
expand wide when exposed to the sun, is hardy and readily cultivated.

Grows wild on the mountainous pastures of some parts of Germany.