*70 
/ “ 
The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
It grows^to two feet and a half in heighth , and toward the top 
fends out a multitude of Branches, all if diftindly regarded in a proli- 
ferous manner. The main Stem is terminated at about two feet heighth 
by one head, which blows earlier, and is always larger, and compofed 
of larger and opener feparate Flowers than the others : four Branches 
ufually rife from the bofom of the two upper Leaves j and each of thefe 
is terminated in like manner by one head ; and from the joint below 
this grow two Stalks again. In this manner, and this only, the Branches 
at the head of the Plant rife. It is proliferation, though notfo diftindly 
apparent as in the Scabious thence named, and fome others. If I 
might be allowed a new term, this manner of growth, which is not pe- 
culiar to the prefent Plant, (hould be called Proliferation with a Foot- 
ftalk ; for take away the Footftalk of the firft Flower, and place it 
fefiile on the main Stalk, and every one will fee the true Proliferation. 
The cafe is the fame at the termination of every Branch. We want 
terms for the diftind manner of the divifions of the Stalks of Plants it 
may be well to adopt this. 
The country of this Plant is Italy; if it have any country diftind 
from my own garden, of which I entertain doubts. It becomes me to 
deliver them. It’s hiftory will give my rcafons, and every one will be 
as able as myfelf to judge of them. 
In the autumn of the year 1760, I received from Italy the Seeds of 
many Plants then newly ripened. When I had forted them according 
to the beft guefs I could, make as to their kinds, they were fown in fuch 
places as were proper for the expeded Plants, according to the diftri- 
bution of this work ; and confequently the Seeds of many Scabious’s, 
and of two or three Eryngiums, were fown near together : for how- 
ever authors had received from one another the notion of putting Eryn- 
gium among the umbelliferous Plants, I had early eftablifhed it an Ag- 
gregate, as the moft exad examination (hews it now to be. Some 
Scabious’s and fome Eryngiums grew from thefe Seeds, and flowered 
in 1761, but there was nothing Angular among them. Inthefpring 
of 1762, I was firft ftruck with the appearance of a harp’d Leaf, utterly 
unknown to me, among the Seedlings : there grew up, and flowered 
