THE DAISY FAMILY. 307 



28. Field Thistle — {Curduus arvensis.) 

 Roadsides and waste places, everywhere. Fl. July. 

 Curtis, iii. 421 ; E. B. xiv. 975. 



29. Melancholy Thistle — {Cdrduus heterophyllus.) 

 Fields, very rare. Plentiful in the corner of a field near Mellor, 

 Derbyshire. 1858. (Mr. J. Sidebotham.) Formerly plentiful on the 

 ground at the head of Mere Clough, where the Asylum now stands. 

 (J. P.) In a field near the " Waggon and Horses," on the road 

 between Bolton and Bury. (Mr. William Horsefield.) Fl. July. 

 Curtis, iii. 521 ; E. B. x. 675. 



" The name " Melancholy " is given to this thistle from the pathetic and elegant 

 languor with which the blossoms hang their heads. 



30. Cakline-thistle — {Carlina vulgaris.) 

 The only known station for this curious plant, in our neighbourhood, 

 is at Greenfield, Saddleworth, where it grows plentifully in a field 

 lying about a hundred yards from the road, on the right hand side, 

 and about half a mile before reaching Bill's-o'-Jack's. The gentian 

 keeps it company. Fl. June. Biennial. 



E. B. xvi. 1U4; Baxter, vi. 405. 



The Carline-thistle is known by the long inner scales of the basket, which are 

 straw-coloured, shining, and spread out like the rays of a star, so as to resemble 

 petals. In dry weather they are horizontal ; but when the atmosphere becomes 

 damp, they rise up and form a conical pent-house over the florets, after the man- 

 ner of the white rays of the daisy. Their texture is like that of the " everlastings." 

 The plant being very dry and rigid, often endures through the winter. 



31. Corn-floaver — [Centaurea Cyanus.) 

 In cornfields, occasionally. Sale. Clifton Moss. (R. H.) Fl. July — 

 September. Annual. 



Curtis, iii. 426 ; E. B. iv. 277 : Baxter, i. 35. 



A very common flower in gardens, where the colour varies to white, red, and 

 purple ; but none of the varieties are so charming as the original azure-blue. In 

 past ages the corn-flower was an abundant weed among cereal crops, and with 

 ;he scarlet poppy, a conspicuous ornament of them up till harvest-time. Along 

 with the corn-marigold and other agricultural offenders, it is now in comparative 

 subjection, and near IManchester can hardly be said to remain. The genus 

 Centaurea is distinguished, both among the Cynarocephahe and the family in 

 general, by the large, vase-like, and neuter or empty florets, each with five long 

 narrow lobes, which form a coronet round the head in most of the species. 



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