66 
The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
minate, we confound inftead of diftinguifhing when names are multi- 
plied, and differences eftablifhed. 
20. DECUMBENT STARRY SCABIOUS. 
Plate 36. Fig. 1. 
Character of the Species. Scabiofa Pterocephala. 
The Stalk leans upon the ground ; and is woody at the 
bafe. The Heads have extremely fhort and naked 
Footftalks. 
Fig. 1. a b. 
This is a perennial, native of the Levant Iflands, a low and very lin- 
gular Plant, flowering from July to September. The Stalk is hard, 
rugged and woody near the bafe, but elfewhere tender and green ; it 
grows only to fix or eight inches in length ; and for the moft of that, it 
lies upon the ground. The Leaves are naturally of a frefh and fine 
green ; but they are rendered grey by a multitude of long white hairs. 
The Flowers are of a bright, though not very firong crimfon, and are 
large, though the Plant is low : the Heads of Seeds are very beautiful * 
they are dry, fhining, brown and downy. The hairs which give that 
afpett are pale, and keep their place and form very regularly, though 
they have nothing of that firmnefs we find often among the hairs of the 
Scabious kinds. 
21. FEATHERY SCABIOUS. 
Plate 36. Fig. 2. 
Chara&er of the Species. Scabiofa pappofa. 
The Cups of the feparate Flowers are downy. 
Fig. 2. a b. 
This is a biennial, native of Crete, and other of the Greek iflands ; 
a handfome Plant of two feet high, flowering in Augufl:. The Stalk 
is tender to the bottom, upright, green, branched, and often very 
fpreading. The Leaves are of a pale and greyifh green : the Flowers are 
of a pale crimfon. There is a white woollynefs about the head of 
Flowers which gives the Plant an afpedf different from all the others ; 
it is owing to a peculiar light, and white hairy, or rather cottony matter 
that encircles the bafe cf the feparate Flowers, and arifes from the 
Cup. 
This 
