COMPOSITE. 33 



Section II.— CYANUS. Desv. 



Phyllaries adpressed, with terminal appendages pectinate or 

 dentate-ciliate, not spinous, decurrent along the edges of the 

 phyllary, but not reaching its base. 



SPECIES IIT.-CENTAUREA SCABIOSA. Linn. 



Plate DCCVIII. 



Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XV. Tab. DCCLXXIV. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2G99. 



Hoodstock woody. Lower leaves oblanceolate, stalked, gene- 

 rally pinnatipartite, with the segments pinnatifid, more rarely 

 entire or simply dentate; stem-leaves not decurrent, generally 

 pinnatifid or pinnatipartite, frequently sub-lyrate. Anthodes 

 generally radiant, on naked peduncles. Pericline sub-globular, 

 generally glabrous ; phyllaries with triangular pectinated dark- 

 coloured appendages. Elorets purplish-crimson, the radiant ones 

 with the limb divided nearly to the base into linear-strapshaped 

 segments. Pappus about as long as the achene. 



In pastures, borders of fields, and waste places. Not un- 

 common in England, where it is very abundant on the chalk ; 

 rare in Scotland, and principally confined to the East coast, where 

 it occurs in Haddington, Perth, Aberdeen, and Moray. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Autumn. 



Rootstock thick and woody in old plants. Stem 1 to 3 feet 

 high, generally slightly branched. Leaves firm, very variable in 

 the degree of division, but generally so deeply pinnatifid as to be 

 almost pinnate, with the segments again pinnatifid. Pericline | to 

 1^ inch across, generally with the appendages not concealing the 

 green part of the phyllaries, but appearing as black horseshoe marks 

 on the pericline. Achenes iron-grey, pubescent, with short stiff 

 white pappus. Plant dull-green, sparingly pubescent. 



Greater Knapiceed. 



French, Centaur ee Scabieuse. German, Scabiosenartiye FlockeiMume. 



This large species of Knapweed was in olden times called Matte felon, and its name 

 is supposed to have been given it because its rough knobs were suited " to scourge 

 felons withal." As early as 1440 it was called Maude felone, or BoUsede. " Thys herbe," 

 says the writer^ " hath a flowre of purplish colour, and leaves y' like to scabyose." 

 But Miss Prato suggests that in those old limes whitlows were also called felocs ; and 



VOL. V. P 



