5 8 The VEGETABLE SYSTEM, 
The divifions of the Flower, in this and the preceding fiecies, ere 
lefs irregular than in many of the others. The Scabious Genus is 
fo large, that I have wifhed to form a diflindtion upon this foundation ; 
but near examination fhews the difference is only in the degree of ir- 
regularity, for all are more or lefs irregular and therefore I have found 
it impracticable. 
9. FINE LEAV’D SCABIOUS. 
Plate 29. Fig. 1. 
Character of the Species. Scabiofa Columbaria. 
The firft Leaves are fimple, oval, and bluntly dented along 
the Edges. The others are deeply pinnatifid and fer- 
rated ; and thofe on the upper part of the Stalk, mofl 
fine and fimple in their divifions. 
Fig. 1 . a b. 
This is a biennial, native of our hilly paftures, a very beautiful, 
though wild Plant, flowering in June, July, and Auguft. It grows 
to near a yard in heighth ; the Stalk is delicate, but firm ; of a pale 
green, and not much branched ; the Leaves are of a pale green alfo ; 
and from the finenefs and regularity of their divifions, have a beautiful 
afpedt. The Flowers are of a fine crimfon, with a dafh of a pearly 
blue. They vary exceedingly in fize, form and colour, according to 
the places where the Plant grows. It loves a light foil ; but light 
foils are ufually dry ; and in thefe the heads are fmall and globular, and 
the Flowers open very imperfedllyj the Plant requires to its perfedt 
good condition, fome moilture in the light and loofe ground, wherein 
it delights to grow. In this the Flowers obtain their full fize, and 
fpread into a breadth that is furprifingj here alfo they have their 
fine crimfon colour. I found the Plant in this fine lLate near Hornfey 
Wood ; and giving it the fame foil, it blows in the fame perfection here 
at Bayswater. 
10. PURPLE 
