The three last mentioned thistles possess no compensating 

 qualities whatever, and on account of their aggressiveness and 

 enormous reproductive powers must be considered amongst the 

 worst introductions. No kind of stock eats them, and when occur- 

 ring on cultivated land they become a great nuisance to the work- 

 men, both during harvesting and later, when hay is to be cut into 

 chaff, which article, moreover, their presence causes to lose con- 

 siderably in value. 



Cryptosttmtna calendulacea (Cape weed," " Cape dandelion "). 



CryplostcnuiHi calcmluhiccd (Cape weed ; Cape dandelion). 

 Indigenous to South Africa. A perennial, succulent, low-growing 

 plant ; leaves usually from 4 to o inches long, lobed to the midrib, 

 the lobes faintly serrated and incised on the lower margin near the 

 midrib, green above and whitish cottony below ; below the midrib 

 is distinctly lined with white. Flowers star-shaped, yellow, with a 

 dark centre, from half to I inch in diameter ; the outer half of the 



