82 
The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
Leaves are white, and foft to the touch ; the downy matter with which 
they are covered* is more fenfible to feeling than, to fight. The 
Fiowers are of a very fine, but light crimfon. 
About three years ago, I received from the Cape, a Branch of this 
with the Leaves perfectly fmooth, deftitute altogether of that downy 
matter 1 had before feen upon them, but in all refpe&s elfe perfectly 
the fame. It is an accident not peculiar to this Plant, but has been feen 
on many of the Cape products ; Burman alfo mentions it on this occa- 
fion. Let the ftudent who has opportunity of obtaining Plants from 
that part of the world* be upon his guard* not be deceived by it j he 
may fancy many fpecies, where there is but one, merely from this 
variety. 
GENUS III. 
E R Y N G O. 
E R Y N G I U M. 
Character of the Genus. 
The Head is oval, compact, and formed of many Flowers. 
The general Cup is longer than the Flowers ; and is 
compofed of fix thorny Leaves. The feparate Flowers 
are compofed each of five oblong Petals, turning back at 
the end. 
Plate 48. o. a b. 
1. TRIFID ERYNGO. 
Plate 48. Fig. 1. common eryngo . 
Character of the Species. Eryngium Campeftre. 
The firft Leaves from the Root are oval and undivided ; 
only wav’d at the edge ; the reft are pinnatifid, and 
terminate in three points. 
Fig. 1. a b. 
This is a perennial, native of our way fides in fome parts of England 5, 
and to the diftrefs of farmers, alfo of our corn-fields j where, when 
once in pofleffion, it is very hardly got out, for the Roots are very 
difficultly broken, and every piece will grow. The Plant is near a 
yard 
