THISTLE, 167 



It lias pretty dark prickly leaves, veined with pale yellow or 

 wliite, and handsome flowers growing quite close to the 

 ground. 



A Tuberous Thistle (C. tuberosa), grows in Greatridge Woods, 

 in the same neighbourhood, so called from the form of its root. 

 It has recently been found, too, near Cirencester, but I have 

 failed in procuring a specimen. 



A dried specimen of the Meadow Thistle (C. pratensis), has 

 been given to me from Essex. It is a smaller plant than any 

 of the Thistles, except the Dwarf. The flower is solitary, the 

 stem naked and woolly, and the leaves lance-shaped and wavy. 



The last of this family, the Melancholy Thistle (C. hetero- 

 phyllus, Plate X.,fig. 3), grows in great abundance in meadows 

 in the hilly country of Yorkshire. We were much puzzled on 

 first observing the clusters of large succulent leaves, lined with 

 white, among the grass in the meadows and pastures. Pre- 

 sently a short stem appeared, with a round bud ; the stalk 

 lengthened, until it reached the height of four feet, one or two 

 wavy leaves adorning it ; then the multitude of purple florets 

 composing the splendid head opened. The stem is slightly 

 bowed, occasionally once-branched, and it has a soft bloom 

 upon it. Like many of its brethren, it is very fragrant as well 

 as very beautiful. It flowers in July. 



A first cousin of these true Thistles is the Scotch Thistle, or, 

 as it is often called, the " Cotton Thistle " (Onopordum acan- 

 thium). This is the plant whose vigorous spines pierced the 

 foot of the invading Dane, and wrung from him the cry which 

 betrayed his intended midnight assault. It is a sturdy plant, 

 studded everywhere with sharp thorns, and the stem andunder- 

 part of the leaves are covered with cotton. I found my speci- 

 men close to a quarry of lias stone, near Leamington. As I 

 meditated securing a portion of the plant, its whole appearance 

 seemed to utter the saying, " Wha daur meddle wi' me ? " 



The Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris), is the next family. It 

 is a dingy yellow colour, low of growth, and very prickly. It 



