354 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



nated by a head of pink flowers, the whole having the 

 appearance of a magnificent candelabrum. 



In heraldry the figure of a thistlehead in flower consti- 

 tutes the badge emblematic of Scotland. It appears to have 

 first come into use in 1488 ; but in early history no cause 

 is assigned for its being chosen, all legends, and what 

 has been written about it in modern times, being merely 

 fables. In 1540 James Y. instituted an order of knight- 

 hood called the Order of the Thistle. 



Thistles were in early times known as only natives of the 

 temperate Northern hemisphere, but they have now extended 

 their domain to the South. In some countries, such as the 

 grassy plains of South America, extensive tracts are now 

 occupied by them. They have also spread widely in South 

 Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. They 

 are truly usurpers and conquerors of the soil, and as such 

 are favoured by nature, their pappus seeds being carried in 

 the air to great distances ; and well may it be said of them 

 — "See the conquering hero comes!" for on whatever soil 

 they fall that is at all favourable to plant-life, a colony of 

 thistles appears, the original holders of the soil disappearing 

 before them. They are, however, wholesome; and, after 

 being bruised to destroy the prickles, are given as food to 

 cattle. In New South Wales the Milk Thistle becomes 

 useful in dry seasons for cattle food. 



Several other species of the family may also well be 

 called usurpers, such as the Common Daisy (^Bellis perennis). 

 Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Dandelion {Leontodon taraxa- 

 cum), Cat's-ear {HypoclicBris radicata^, &c., these being pests 

 in lawns and pastures. 



