A number of inquiries having been made to this Department 
by public bodies and private persons, desirous of obtaining in- 
formation respecting various Thistles which have taken root in 
Victoria, it occurred to me that the publication of a coloured 
illustrated description would be of value in many ways. Having 
communicated with Baron Sir F. von Mueller, the Government 
Botanist, on the subject, that gentleman very kindly undertook 
to provide such a work, and I acknowledge my indebtedness to 
him. 
I trust that his labours in preparing so clear and comprehensive 
descriptions will have the effect of making generally known the 
distinguishing characteristics of those members of the Thistle 
family dealt with by the Thistle Act. 
Copies of the publication will be supplied gratis to Shire 
Councils, Agricultural Societies, Free Libraries, and State Schools, 
also to Farmers and Graziers on application. 
D. MARTIN, 
Secretary for Agriculture. 
Department of Agriculture, 
Melbourne, April, 1893. 
A 2 
