72 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



or take mucn trouble to perpetuate the species, has strangely pro- 

 vided for its preservation. 



On the scales of the calyx are fixed, sharp, firm hooks, which 

 attach themselves to every locomotive object that brushes by the 

 plant, such as the clothes of persons passing, the wool of sheep, 

 &c. thus forming a remarkable mechanism for the dissemination 

 of the seeds. 



Though a native of Europe, it has conceived a strong attachment 

 to America ; and by the road sides, among rubbish, in waste places, 

 and but too often in cultivated grounds, whence it is unsuccessfully 

 expelled, it may be seen flourishing in state. 



The genus takes its name from Arktos, a bear, on account of its 

 extraordinary roughness. It is a perennial plant, the stem juicy, 

 covered with down, with numerous branches, growing generally to 

 the height of about four feet. The leaves are heart-shaped, as we 

 mentioned before, minutely toothed, green on their upper surface, 

 but whitish and downy on their under, and stand on long footstalks. 

 In July and August, its flowers add their contributions to the beauty 

 of the season ; they are of a globular shape, very profusely scattered 

 in clusters, and of a not too bright purple color. The concluding part 

 of our description will tend to confirm the belief we have expressed, 

 in this plant possessing some hidden virtues, for Nature has placed 

 on its head a kingly diadem ; not because man always attains elevated 

 rank by superior virtue, but that, we think, Nature never acts without 

 a good reason. This aigrette, or hairy crown, is of a consistence 

 between bristle and chaff* the receptacle is chaffy, we know not why 

 the emblem was given to it, but its history will justify its floral 

 appellation Importunity. 



