CARLINA ACAULIS. 51' 



coloring matter, obtained by digesting tbe flowers in a solu- 

 tion of carbonate of soda, and adding lemon juice, which 

 throws it down in the form of a fine powder, which is dried 

 and mixed with a portion of talc. Carthamus is likewise 

 used to dye woollens and silks, and also is employed to 

 adulterate the true saffron, which consists, as you all know, 

 of the fragment stigmas of Crocus saiivus. 



MRS. F. 



Yes; at Saffron Walden, in Essex, where it was said to be 

 introduced in the reign of Edward III, the meadows are 

 purple, in the autumn, with the flowers of this Crocus, which 

 is cultivated there solely for the saffron; and I have heard 

 that the corporation of Walden bear three saffron plants in 

 their arms. 



MRS. c. 

 Here is a plant which you do not often see in the garden. 



MRS. F. 



Oh! Car Una acaulis, a plant I have constantly seen growing 

 wild on the Continent; and in Sicily, its receptacle is eaten as 

 we do in England that of the artichoke. But, while we are 

 on the subject of thistles, allow me to point out to my little 

 party that fine Onnpordum acanthium, which, I believe, is 

 generally cultivated as the true Scotch thistle.* 



ESTHER. 



Here is the American part of the Garden, which looked 

 beautiful in the spring. 



MRS. F. 



T I see, Mrs. Clifford, that you keep bees; are you not afraid 

 that they should gather the honey of your Azaleas and 

 Kalmias? 



MRS. c. 



I have never heard of any ill consequences attending their 

 doing so. 



* Hooker. 



