Composite jfamilp. 



Pasture Thistle. Gnicus jmmilus. 



Bull Thistle. 



Found in dry pastures, uplands, roadsides, during July and August. 



The erect, and somewhat branching, stalk varies from 1 to 3 feet 

 in height ; it is sparingly leafy, very large, and stout of fibre, and round ; 

 hairy to the touch. Color, green. 



The leaf is long, and narrow, with a stout midrib ; the margin is 

 cut frequently but not deeply, each joint being tipped with a spine that 

 is not so long as those of the Common Thistle ; the texture is strong- 

 fibred, the upper surface rather smooth, the underside covered with 

 cobwebby hairs. The color, green. The leaf somewhat clasps the 

 stalk; and the arrangment is alternate, at some distance apart. 



The silky flowers are crimson-purple, less strong in tone than the 

 Common Thistle ; spreading softly, in a large, rounded, downy head, from 

 the lai'ge cup. The cup is a fine ui'n-shape, closely covered with short 

 prickles ; green in color ; with a few small leaves at the base. One to 

 three flower heads rise from the summit of the stalk, or branches. 



Larger (the flower-head is often nearly two inches across), but less 

 ferociously equipped than the Warrior Thistle, this carries a sweeter 

 perfume, and is the beloved of the bees. Especially is the flower-head 

 lovely in color. 



