io8 FLOWERS OF LAKES, RIVERS, ETC. 



The stem is winged with interrupted, spinous, rudimentary leaves, 

 which serve to protect it. 



The flowerheads are violet in an egg-shaped involucre, with egg- 

 shaped to lance-shaped phyllaries, which terminate in a point and overlap. 

 The florets are tufted and clustered, and rather small, and the involucre 

 is slightly webbed. The limb of the corolla is 5-lobed to the middle. 



This graceful plant may be 3 ft. high. It is rarely in flower before 

 July. Biennial, it is herbaceous and propagated by seeds. 



Marsh Thistle has a capitulum intermediate between C. arvensis 

 and C. lanceolatus, in so far as it is possible to reach the honey, and in 

 the variety of visitors. The throat of the corolla is i\ mm. The 

 florets are tubular and complete. 



It is visited by Apis mellifica, Bombus, Andrena, Halictus, Mega- 

 chile, Lindenius, Eristalis, Volucella, Syrphus, Sicus, Pieris, Hesperia, 

 Satyrns y P/ust'a, Agrotis, Strangalia. 



The achene is narrow, and provided with a feathery pappus for 

 wind dispersal. 



This fine composite is a peat-loving plant, requiring a humus soil, 

 and growing in peaty bogs, &c. 



Two fungi, Puccinia hieracii, P. dioicc?, infest it. Two beetles, 

 Psylliodes picina, Larinus carlina, a moth, Coleophora therinella, are 

 to be found upon it. 



The second Latin name refers to its habitat. It is called Bog- 

 thrissel, Moss-thistle, Red and Water Thistle. It was said to counter- 

 act the powers of darkness, and in Esthonia they place it in ripening- 

 corn to drive away malignant demons. Elf lock, a disease in Poland 

 amongst the poor, said to be due to evil spirits, disappears when one 

 buries thistle seeds. If thistles are seen in a dream it is a good omen. 

 "If the down flieth off Coltsfoot, Dandelion, and thistles when there is 

 no wind it is a sign of rain ", and ;< Chaff, leaves, thistle down, or such 

 light things whisking about and twining round foreshows tempestuous 

 winds". In Suffolk 



" Cut your thistles before St. John, 

 You will have two instead of one". 



The tender stalks, if peeled, are eatable when boiled. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



171. Cniats palustris, Willd. Stem tall, erect, purple, hollow, 

 branched above, spinose, winged, leaves not hairy above, decurrent, 

 thorny, brownish, flowerheads purple, small, terminal heads in a cluster, 

 bracts purplish-green, ovate-lanceolate, corolla limb 5-fid to middle. 



