168 COMPOSITE. 



abounds on limestone pastures. The flowers do not decay; 

 but after the plant itself is shrivelled and colourless, the 

 yellowish flowers still dot the turf. My specimen is from 

 Applegarth, near [Richmond. 



The Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), the most common 

 of the Knapweed family, is familiarly known as Hardhead. 

 The flower is like a small Thistle, but the plant is smooth 

 and tough. In this, the next species, the scales of the 

 involucre are fringed with dark bristles. This is the family 

 whose Latin name is derived from the Centaur Chiron, who 

 cured his foot of the wound inflicted by Hercules, by applying 

 one of these plants. They used to be thought highly medicinal, 

 but I fancy no one believes in them now. 



The Greater Knapweed (C. scabiosa), is a handsome plant. 

 The florets round the edge are very large, and the colour is a 

 bright purplish-crimson. The leaves are pinnate. 



The Corn Bluebottle (C. cyanus, Plate XL, fig. 4), is the 

 prettiest. Fanny gathered it near Penzance. Its brilliant 

 colour entitles it to its Scot6h appellation of " Blue Bonnet." 

 The French call it " Bluet." Surely this must be the plant 

 meant by Longfellow, when he says, 



" Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing, 

 Stand, like Ruth, among the golden corn." 



The Star Thistle (C. calcitrapa), is as prickly in its involucre 

 as that of any plant of the family after which it is named. 

 Its leaves are spreading, and the rose-coloured flowers spring 

 from the side of the stem. 



The Jersey Star Thistle (C. Isnardi), another of the Knap- 

 weeds, has a spiny involucre, but its flowers are terminal. In 

 travelling from London to Gravesend I once saw the yellow Star 

 Thistle, with its lyre-shaped root-leaves and terminal solitary 

 flowers. I would have given much to have stopped for a specimen. 



The Brown Knapweed (C. jacea), resembles the Hardhead, 

 but its florets are more spread. It is very rare. This family 

 concludes the first division of the Tubular group. 



