round, somewhat flattened, one-celled with two ovula affixed 

 to the bottom of the cell ; only one of which probably comes 

 to maturity, as the capsule is described to be one-seeded. 

 Styles 3. Stigmas simple. 



Few plants are more difficult to handle with naked fingers 

 than this, every leaf being armed with a sharp spine which 

 with age becomes very rigid ; yet the Ass eats it greedily, 

 . whence its vulgar name in its native countries signifies in 

 English Asses herb. Native of Barbary and Italy. Flowers 

 with us from June to September, in the open ground. In- 

 troduced by Nicholas Joseph de Jacquin, M. D. in 1775. 

 Communicated by Mr. William Anderson from the Chelsea 

 Garden. 



The outline figures represent 1. a stamen, 2. a petal, 3 a 

 side view of the same, 4. the pistil and the calyx; all somewhat 

 magnified. 



