COMPOSITE. * 
SrECIES II— CARDUUS NUTANS. Linn. 
Plate DCLXXXIII. 
Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Ilelv. Vol. XV. Tab. DCCCXXVIL 
Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2G97. 
Stem slightly and interruptedly spinous-winged except at 
the top, where it is destitute of a wing and arachnoid. Radical 
leaves elliptical, attenuated at the base, sinuate-spinous ; stem- 
leaves deeply doubly-pinnatifid-spinous, the upper ones strapshaped. 
Anthodes solitary, without leaves in their immediate vicinity, 
drooping. Pericline sub-globular, depressed at the base, arach- 
noid; phyllaries triangular-subulate, spinous-pointed, the outer 
and middle ones spreading-reflexed. Pappus of silky hairs, not 
plumose. 
In waste places, particularly partial to chalky and limestone 
soils. Not uncommon in England ; rare in Scotland, where it is 
confined to sandy sea-shores, and not found North of the counties 
of Edinburgh and Lanark. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Biennial. Summer 
and Autumn. 
Stem erect, 8 inches to 3 feet high, branched in large examples, 
with the branches spreading-ascending, furrowed, interruptedly 
winged, the wings ceasing at a considerable distance below the 
anthodes. Leaves undulated with scattered hairs on both surfaces. 
Pericline 1 to 1J inch across, nearly as broad as long. Flowers 
crimson, slightly longer than the phyllaries. Achenes brownish 
fawn-colour, shining, longitudinally striate, rugose only on the 
striae ; disk with a central depressed pentagonal tubercle. Leaves 
green, somewhat shining. 
Musk- Thistle. 
French, Chardon Penche. German, Nichende Distel. 
This is one of our commonest Thistles on a dry soil, and may be known by its 
large drooping flowers and musky scent. The down of this, as of some other species, 
may be advantageously used as a material in making paper. The thistle-down is a 
favourite food of goldfinches. 
SPECIES III.— CARDUUS CRISPUS. Linn. 
Plate DCLXXXIV. 
C. acanthoide?, Sm. Eng. Bot. No. 973. Huok. & Am. Brit. Fl. ed. viii. p. 23G. 
Benth. Handbook Brit. Fl. p. 313. 
Stem continuously spinous-winged throughout, and arachnoid 
at the summit. Radical leaves elliptical, attenuated at the base, 
