FLOWERS OF HISTORY. 



455 



lij.s reign (15 14 to 1542) the head or flower of a 

 thistle only is represented. On a coin of James VI., 

 of 1599, there are three thistles grouped and united 

 at the base, whence two leaves spread lateral I}-, and 

 the stalk of the plant is spinous. On later coins, as 

 on one of 1602, there is only a single head, while the 

 leaves and spines are retained, and this figure is the 

 same given on all subsequent coins, the form of the 

 flower itself having suftered no change from its first 

 adoption. "This evidence," savs Johnston, "seems 





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Fig. 96.— Scotch coin of 1603. F/g. <y]. — Scotch coin of 1599. 



to me to put Caniuiis nutans out of court, and the 

 greater number of species, and very much to invali- 

 date the claims of the Onoporduni, but greatly to 

 strengthen our belief that Carduus marianns was 

 the chosen emblem of the national pride and 

 character, although it must be admitted that the 

 resemblance between the plant and the picture of 

 the artist is somewhat postulatory. The bold motto, 

 ' nemo m.e impune lacessit,' was the addition of 



