96 WILD FLOWERS OF SCOTLAND 



of height. One looks curiously around for 

 the thistle which would presume to dispute 

 with it. 



As if for contrast's sake, the second claimant is 

 a dwarf. With no stem at all, it simply spreads 

 a bristly rosette over the surface of the ground. 

 This may be only a stunted form of one of the 

 rest. If it be not, then I have not come across it 

 in Scotland, although I often see a thistle chiefly 

 of the marsh sort when half starved, very dwarf 

 indeed. 



Common sense entered the judgment-seat in the 

 person of the late Professor Balfour. It stands to 

 reason, that a thistle, chosen from the others as the 

 national emblem, must be that which is known to 

 the greatest number. The question thus reduces 

 itself into which is the commonest ; and there can 

 be no doubt that to the lance-leaved thistle belongs 

 the honour. 



That depends on the position of the observer. 

 To the crofter it might be the cotton thistle ; to a 

 son of the marshes, a marsh thistle ; and to a 

 farmer who was still more a patriot, if such there 

 be, a field thistle. 



There are suspicious indications, moreover, that 

 this thistle has spread out from the neighbourhood 



