The vegetable system. 
149 
hard and brown, or fometimes reddifh. The Leaves are of a diiflcv 
green, rough, and (harp pointed. The Flowers are of a delicate deep 
crimfon ; and the Scales of their Cups in a very apparent manner 
degenerate on'the lower part into Leaves, and run down the Foot- 
llalks. 
16. INDIAN ASTER. 
Plate 53. Fig. 16. 
Character of the Species. After Indiciis. 
The Branches fpread in a wild fcattered manner : the 
Leaves are oblong, oval, and ferrated. 
Fig. 16. a If. 
This is a Biennial, native of China, a Plant diftinguKhed by its 
habit and general appearance from all the others. The Stalk is na- 
turally crimfon : the Leaves are of a fine frefli green, but the lower 
ones intirely, and thofe upon the Stalk at their Bafes, are often tinged 
with its glowing red. The Flowers are moderately large, and of a 
very delicate colour, mixt of the high crimfon/ of the Stalk, and a 
right violet blue ; fometimes they are pale, and on fome Plants white: 
they blow in Auguft. The lowed Scales of the Cup are in this as 
in the preceding remarkably leafy, and they degenerate into abfolute 
Leaves of a lanced form ; which, as they grow lower down the Foot- 
ftalks become longer, and gradually aflume the perfeifl; form of the 
Leaves. 
17. FLAXEY ASTER. 
Plate 53. Fig. 17. 
Character of the Species. After llnifoHis. 
The Leaves are linear and foft; the Stalk fpreads into a 
vafl branchy even head. 
Fig. ij. a \ 
This is alow and fimple, but yet far from an inelegant Species. It 
is a native of North-America ; and flowers early in September : the 
Plant is two feet high : the Stalk is firm, brown at the bottom, but 
green toward the top. It has fcarce any branches near the ground i 
VoL. II. Qjl but 
