BUR DOCK THISTLE. 165 



and close early in the afternoon. It is also mentioned in the 

 lines from wliich I hare already quoted : 



" On upland slopes the shepherds mark 



The hour, when to the dial true, 

 Cichorinm, to the soaring lark, 

 Lifts her soft eyes serenely blue." 



Its utility as an adjunct to Coffee lias already been named ; 

 it has a classical association in being one of the articles of diet 

 used by Horace. It is cultivated as a substitute for its ally, 

 Endive, in English gardens, and to a much greater extent in 

 Flanders and Holland, where salad forms a more important 

 article of diet. This is the last family in the Strap-shaped or 

 Chicory group. 



We come next to the Tubular group, but this needs to be 

 subdivided. We will take first those tubular plants which are 

 arranged in a round head, like the Thistles ; and afterwards 

 those that are in a flat head, like the Tansy. In the Strap- 

 shaped group the most of the flowers were yellow ; in this 

 first division of the Tubular group we shall see lilac the pre- 

 vailing colour. 



The Bur Dock is the first family. We have only one species. 

 The common Bur Dock (Arctium lappa), is a large coarse plant, 

 often growing by the roadside, and covered with dust. Its 

 dingy lilac flowers are very uninteresting, and the hooked 

 bristles on its involucre make it very troublesome in adhering 

 to the dress. The root of this plant is said to be good for 

 rheumatism. 



The Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), is abundant both in Kent 

 and Somerset. It is a slender plant, with dark green, smooth, 

 pinnate leaves, and branched clusters of purple flowers. I see 

 that Fanny has specimens from Clevedon. It flowers in July 

 and August. 



The Alpine Saw-wort (S. alpina), has pink flowers and simple 

 leaves. I hope to find it some day. 



Now for the Thistles. The Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), 



