THE 

 NODDING THISTLE. 



Garduus nutaiis. Nat. Ord., Composite. 



NY one who has been in the habit 

 of observing- the plants of any 

 rural district through which he 

 has been passing, or in which 

 it may have been his lot to live, 

 will scarcely have failed to notice 

 not only how very numerous the 

 thistles are everywhere, but also 

 how considerable is the variety of 

 form that may be noticed amongst 

 them. Their commonness arises 

 from the fact that each of the 

 very numerous flower-heads they 

 bear produces an enormous num- 

 ber of seeds, and these, like those 

 of the dandelion or groundsel, are furnished 

 with means that enable them to float 

 through the air for long distances. Every 

 passing breeze liberates them in scores, and 

 bears them far and wide. It is therefore 

 a most difficult class of plants to keep in check, and it is 

 unfortunately not only the careless agriculturist himself 

 who suffers through the choking of his crops by the vigorous 

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