COMPOSITjE. * 



SPECIES II.— CARDUUS NUTANS. Linn. 



Tlate DCLXXXIII. 



Belch. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XV. Tab. DCCCXXVIL 

 Billot, Fl. GalL et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2697. 



Stem slightly and interruptedly spinous- winged except at 

 the top, where it is destitute of a wing and arachnoid. Radical 

 leaves elliptical, attenuated at the base, sinuate-spinous ; stem- 

 leaves deeply doubly-pinnatifid-spinous, the upper ones strapshaped. 

 Anthodes solitary, without leaves in their immediate vicinity, 

 drooping. Pericline sub-globular, depressed at the base, arach- 

 noid ; phyllaries triangular-subulate, spinous-pointed, the outer 

 and middle ones spreading-reflexed. Pappus of silky hairs, not 

 plumose. 



In waste places, particularly partial to chalky and limestone 

 soils. Not uncommon in England ; rare in Scotland, where it is 

 confined to sandy sea-shores, and not found North of the counties 

 of Edinburgh and Lanark. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Biennial. Summer 

 and Autumn. 



Stem erect, 8 inches to 3 feet high, branched in large examples, 

 with the branches spreading-ascending, furrowed, interruptedly 

 winged, the wings ceasing at a considerable distance below the 

 anthodes. Leaves undulated with scattered hairs on both surfaces. 

 Pericline 1 to IJ inch across, nearly as broad as long. Flowers 

 crimson, slightly longer than the phyllaries. Achenes broAvnish 

 fawn-colour, shining, longitudinally striate, rugose only on the 

 striiB ; disk with a central depressed pentagonal tubercle. Leaves 

 green, somewhat shining. 



Musk-Thistle. 



French, Chardon Penche. German, Nickemle Distel. 



This is one of our commonest Thistles on a dry soil, and may be known by its 

 large drooping flowers and musky scent. The down of this, as of some other species, 

 may be advantageously used as a material in making paper. The thistle-down is a 

 favourite food of goldfinches. 



SPECIES III.— CARDUUS ORIS PUS. Linn. 



Plate DCLXXXIV. 



C. acanthoides Sm. Eng. Bot. No. 973. Ilooh. & Am. Brit. Fl. ed. viil p. 230. 

 Beatlh. Handbook Brit. Fl. p. 313. 



Stem continuously spinous-winged throughout, and arachnoid 

 at the summit. Eadical leaves elliptical, attenuated at the base. 



