FARM ERS' M I SCELL AN Y. 79 



hich extends several miles to the northeast. This overlying 

 |mestone is fissured and probably cavernous, and a large propor- 

 |0n of the surface water sinks into the rock, collects, and forms 

 aderground streams, which issue at ditferent points in the form of 

 jrge springs. The most remarkable of these is at Springport. 



Yours, &c., E, 



V. Culture of the Teasel. 

 iMy Dear Friend-I now propose to fulfil my promise given 

 my last, to describe to you the culture of the teasel, as con- 

 . cted by my friend, Mr. Hopkins, to whom reference has been 

 ude. 



But first I will speak of the teasel itself. Eotanically it is an 

 1 cresting plant. In books its generic name is Dipsacus, which 

 s;nifies thirst, in allusion to a quantity of water which collects in 

 <|j axils of the leaves, which being concave give a lodament at 

 tbse places, and what perhaps is not very singular, is, this fluid 

 €||oyed the reputation of being a good cosmetic, though in reality 

 ijis nothing but pure water. 



There are two species of the teasel, one, called the sylvestris, 

 fm Its inhabiting woody places ; the other, /..//onwrn, referring 

 lithe class of men by whom it is used, viz : the fullers. Now 

 D'St persons scarcely distinguish them apart • they regard both 

 aone, and this is not very remarkable, as they look very much 

 a*ce; but an inspection of the hooks of the scales or chaff of 

 t]j flower heads will set one right ; the latter has hooks bent out- 

 VTds, while in the sylvestris they are straight. It is by the bent 

 al exceedingly fine points of these flower scales or chaff that they 

 a, fitted for the office in which they are employed, viz : that of 

 r^ing a nap upon woolen cloths ; and so important are they, 

 tU not a piece of broadcloth can be made without them No 

 achme or process has yet been devised which can perform this 

 ^rk, though many attempts have been made to supply their place 

 le teasel forms a natural family of plants by themselves. Their 

 Kves are either opposite or stand in circles (whorls) around the 

 St Q. Their flowers are situated at the end of the stem, and are 

 c<lected in an elongated oval head. Some persons probably con- 



