428 29. CALCITRAPA STELLATA. [CL. XlX. 



Lohel Hist 482. ijc. 2. 11. /. Bauh. Hist. 3. 89. Ger. 



emac. 1166. C. Bauh. Pin, 387. Zann. 1st. t. 155. 

 Carduus muricatus^ Clus. Hist. 2. 7. 

 ? Myacanthus Theophr., Dcdech, 1473, 

 Spina Stella, Taber^i. 1080. 

 Calcitrapa vulgaris, ParA;. Theatr, 969. 

 Jlippophaestum, Colum. Phytob. t. 24. 



Centaurea Calcitrapa, Z^W7^. ^or^. Ups. 273. PFi^d *Sjp. 



P/. 3. 2317. jF:^^/. i?025. 125. Sturm. 4. 

 Rhaponticura Calcitrapa, *SV?o^. Carn. n. 1018. 

 Calcitrapa stellata, Lam. Fl. Fran(^. 2. 34. 

 Calcitrapa Hippophgestiinj, Gdrtn, Fruct. 2. 376. t. 163. 



Geograpliical Distribution. 



This plaijt is a proof of the principle laid down, p. 399- 

 tjiat, in the same latitude, thie temperature diminishes towards 

 the east ; and that hence southern plants grow at a higher 

 latitude in the west than in the east. This plant does not 

 grow in Germany beyond 52° N. Lat. In England, again, 

 it 13 found as far as Yorkshire, (54°). Eastward from Ger- 

 many it seems to have a still more southern limit, since it has 

 not once been found in Galicia, although it grows in Hun- 

 gary and Transylvania. But towards the south it extends 

 ^5 fiar as Peloponnesus and Sicily. 



Uses. 



Formerly this plant was celebrated for its medicinal powers, 

 The root was used in decoctions as a diuretic, of which use, 

 in particular, Tournefort (Hist, des Plantes aux Env. cfe 

 Paris, p. 12, 13.) has adduced proofs. 



1 



