pinnatifid, never pinnate. We have therefore restored the 

 original character. 



LiNNiEus, in his Hortus ClifFortianus, says he could hardly 

 persuade himself that mollis and spinosus were distinct 

 species ; Miller, on the other hand, maintains that not 

 only they, but likewise this and the shining variety of mollis, 

 always retain their characters when reproduced from seed. 

 How Martyn came to consider our plant as a variety of 

 mollis, the leaves of which are sinuate not pinnatifid, rather 

 than spinosus, we are at a loss to guess, 



It should be remarked that the spines, though short and 

 not very close together, are by no means innocuous, but 

 sharp and rigid enough to render handling extremely un- 

 pleasant. 



Its spikes frequently rise, from the middle of the leaves, 

 three feet in height, and are covered with flowers from 

 the base to the summit, and continue long in bloom ; so 

 that, where it is allowed sufficient room, this plant makes a 

 very ornamental appearance. 



Native of Italy, of Greece, and the islands of the Archipelago, 

 and is supposed by Miller to haye been the prototype of the 

 Corinthian capital rather than mollis, which Dr. Sibthorpe 

 did not find in Greece. 



Is a hardy perennial, propagated by seeds or by parting its 

 roots. Flowers from July to September. Communicated by 

 Mr. Knight, of the Exotic Nursery, in the King's-Road. 



