352 COMPOSITE. 



by road sides, in most soils. The involucre is globose, 

 with the scales spreading in all directions ; the stem is 

 winged with the rough cottony leaves ; the flowers are 

 large, of a dull purple hue, and mostly solitary, or but 

 slightly clustered, at the ends of the branches. The 

 seeds are the favourite food of goldfinches, which may 

 often be seen in autumn fluttering like butterflies round 

 the withered stalks. This species is the true Scotch 

 Thistle. Fl. July, August. Biennial. 



ONOPOEDUM ACANTHIUM (Scotch Thistle). 



