The VEGETABLE SYSTEM, 69 
The three Stamina, if regarded, would remove this Plant out of 
the fourth into the third Clafs in the fexual fyftem ; but the author of 
that method has not offered fo much violence to nature, as to remove 
this from the other Scabious’s, though different from them according 
to his characters even in Clafs. He has retained a diftinCtion between 
the Flowers with five, and thofe with four Segments, among the Sca- 
bious’s j but I have not found it permanent enough for fuch divifion. 
They are figured with each Species as they ufually appear; but they 
vary in their divifion often. 
GENUS II. — If permanent. 
NEEDLEWEED. 
A C U R A. 
Character of the Genus. 
The Head is convex ; and the general Cup is formed of 
a fingle range of Films, pointed and edged with hard 
and bony Thorns, refembling the fharp ends of needles. 
Plate 38. o. ah. 
Of this Genus there is known only one Species. 
HARP’D NEEDLEWEED. 
Plate 39. Fig. 1. 
Character of the Species. 
The Leaves are harp’d with broad obtufe Segments. 
Fig. r. a b . 
This is an annual, a firm, upright Plant of regular growth, flower- 
ing in Auguft ; very glowing in the number, and in the colour of its 
Flowers ; but too ftiff and exaCt in the difpofition of them for beauty. 
The Stalk is hard and almoft woody at the bafe, where it is of a red- 
difh brown, elfewhere it is green and firm, but without that wood/ 
hardnefs. The Leaves are of a good green ; and the Flowers are 
crimfon. 
It 
