344 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



like calyx ; stamens 4, free. Fruit a dry 1-seeded achenia, 

 crowned with the permanent calyx. 



About 150 species constitute this family. They are 

 chiefly natives of Europe, North Africa, and countries bor- 

 dering on the Mediterranean ; a few are found in South 

 Africa. They have no special medicinal qualities. 



Teazel (Dipsacus sylvestris and D. Fullonum). Biennial 

 plants, native of this country. Their flower- stems attain the 

 height of 4 to 6 feet, having large, opposite, lanceolate 

 leaves, with their broad bases united, forming a reservoir 

 which holds water. The flowers are in heads, terminal on 

 branches, and are of a cylindrical form, 2 to 4 inches in 

 leagth, and about 1 inch in diameter. When ripe the scales 

 become hardened, having a stiff point, which in D. sylvestris 

 is straight, but in D. Fullonum is bent at right angles like a 

 hook, and forms the valuable article called Fuller's Teazel, 

 no mechanical contrivance yet having been invented to 

 supersede its use in dressing cloth ; for which purpose it is 

 cultivated in Yorkshire and many parts of Europe, and large 

 quantities are imported from Germany and other parts of 

 the Continent. 



The genus Scabiosa contains many ornamental species 

 which are gro^vn in gardens. S. atropurpurea is an old 

 favourite annual, generally known by the name of Mourn- 

 ful Widow. Three species are natives of this country, S. 

 succisa, Devil's Bit, is a handsome field and wayside plant, 

 attaining the height of 2 or more feet, having pretty heads of 

 light blue flowers. S. arvensis is a well-known troublesome 

 cornfield weed. 



In alliance with Dipsacece is a small family, Calyceracece^ 

 consisting of about 20 species of herbs, natives of various 

 parts of America. They hold an intermediate position 

 between Dipsacece and Composites, differing from the first by 

 the anthers being united, and from the latter in the nature 

 of their seeds. They are of no known use. 



