132 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



famed Cnicuaculis," as it is probably at least as effective 

 as some other preparations, while the raw material is so 

 abundant that the preparation of the restorer, say at seven 

 and sixpence the bottle, affords a fine field for commercial 

 energy and speculation. 



The Scottish thistle, like the Irish shamrock, is a choice 

 subject for learned argument, and much discussion has 

 been raised as to which species has the honour of giving 

 the national badge to Caledonia. Such discussion here 

 would be wholly out of place, and even the bare recapitula- 

 tion of the various views for or against the different species 

 would be decidedly superfluous, but we may just mention 

 that the present plant is one of those held to have a good 

 right to claim this proud position. 



