MELOCAOTUS. 



15 



Melooaotus communis, Link and Otto.—" Who can but marvel at the 

 care and singular workmanship shown in this Thistle ?" -wrote old Gerardo 



'S, 



?t 



.r'''-'/fW' 





::-r I 1. 



1i . 



'H 





; »^ *■ 



1> 



ill -f-*^ i's"^ *• 





5 







Fig. 2.— Melooaotus communis. 



in his "Herhall," 250 years ago, and the question might be re- 

 peated at the present day with equal point. It is, indeed, much more 



