purplish-green, its scales linear or inclining to subulate, 
pubescent, lax and squamose. Florets of the disk tubular, 
yellow, five-cleft. Germen slightly hairy, oblong, sur- 
mounted by the simple scabrous hairs of the pappus. Flo- 
rets of the ray ligulate, three-toothed, purple. Pistil and 
Pappus as in the central florets. 
This handsome species of Aster was first detected YY 
Dr. RicHarpson on the Salt Plains of the Athabasca, N. 
America, and described in the Appendix to Franxuin’s first 
Journal. Mr. Drummonp during the second journey found 
it among the Rocky Mountains, and from seeds brought 
home by him, our plants were raised which flowered in the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden, in May, 1829 ; and there cannot 
_ be a doubt but that so desirable a plant will soon become 
common in our collections. The early flowering and 
weak specimens produced but one flower on the stalk; but 
later in the season, in the month of June, from two to four 
blossoms. were not unfrequent on the same stem. This 
— rather be called the Spring than the Michaelmas 
sy. 
f 
Fig. 1. Floret of the Disk. 2. Floret of the Ray. 3. Portion of the Hair 
of the Pappus. 4. Scale from the Involucre.—All more or less magnified. 
