328 WILD FLOWERS. 



cattle that the thistle is most valued. Before turnips 

 took their place in the ordinary routine of agricul- 

 ture, the thistle was an important article in the 

 economy of the Scottish hill-side farmer ; and Dr. 

 G. Johnston tells us that, " the dues or customs on 

 thistles, sold at St. BoswelFs fair, are still unrepealed, 

 so that if any were to be carried to it for sale, the 

 customary rate (fee) might still be demanded/' More- 

 over, the Vicar of Norham, at one period, actually 

 found it worth his while to assert his right to the 

 tythe of the thistles of his parishioners ; and it has 

 been shewn that few, if any, of our ordinary fodder 

 plants, afford so much nourishment, in the same 

 bulk, as the thistle ; which is eagerly eaten both by 

 horses and cows, if the plant be but slightly crushed 

 or pounded. Indeed, it may be observed that the 

 milk-thistle is eaten by cows without any prepara- 

 tion, and, apparently with as much satisfaction, as 

 it is by the school-boy's pet rabbit. 



The seeds of the thistle yield a most valuable oil, 

 which is clear, fine, and bland ; and though they are 

 far from being a heavy substance, the quantity of 

 the oil is nearly equal to three-fourths of their weight, 

 when deprived of their winged down. This oil, 

 which is admirably adapted for cooking purposes, is 

 also excellent for burning ; and the beautiful down, 

 which wings these seeds, makes a most silky and 

 beautiful paper, though, as will be readily supposed, 

 the extreme difficulty of collecting a substance of so 

 volatile a character, renders its employment for that 

 purpose both rare and costly : floating away, as it 

 does, on the passing breeze, almost as soon as it attains 



