. Flowers of the field. Botany. 164 COROLLIFLOR^ 20. Carlina {Carline-thistle) I. C. vulgaris (Common Carline-thistle). — The only British species, readily distinguished from every other British Thistle by the long inner scales of the involucre, which are straw-coloured and glossy, and spread in a radiate manner so as to resemble petals. In dry weather they lie flat, but when the atmosphere is moist, they rise and form, as it were, a pent-house over the florets. Their texture is like that of the garden Everlasting Flowers, hence they scarcely alter their appearance when dead, and as the whole
. Flowers of the field. Botany. 164 COROLLIFLOR^ 20. Carlina {Carline-thistle) I. C. vulgaris (Common Carline-thistle). — The only British species, readily distinguished from every other British Thistle by the long inner scales of the involucre, which are straw-coloured and glossy, and spread in a radiate manner so as to resemble petals. In dry weather they lie flat, but when the atmosphere is moist, they rise and form, as it were, a pent-house over the florets. Their texture is like that of the garden Everlasting Flowers, hence they scarcely alter their appearance when dead, and as the whole plant is remarkably durable, they often retain their form and position till the succeeding spring. On the Continent the large white flower of one species, C. acaulis, is often nailed upon cottage doors by way of a hygrometer, as it closes before rain. Dry heaths.—Fl. June to September. Biennial. 21. Centaurea {Knapweed, Biue-bottle) 1. C. nigra (Black Knap-weed).—The outer scales of the involucre egg-shaped, fringed with spreading bristles ; lower leaves toothed, often with a few small lobes at the base, upper narrow, tapering ; flowers with or without a ray ; pappus very short, tufted. A tough-stemmed plant, i-2 feet high, with heads of dull purple flowers, which are remarkable for the brown, or almost black, hue of the scales of the involucre. This plant is popularly known by the name of Hard-head. Meadows ; common.—Fl. June to August. Perennial. 2. C. scahiosa (Greater Centaurea, Greater Knap-weed), Outer scales of the involucre egg-shaped, somewhat downy, fringed ; leaves pinnatifid, roughish, segments tapering to a point. Meadows and cornfields; common. Larger and stouter than the last, from which it is distin- guished by the brighter hue of its hand- some radiate flowers, and the light- coloured fringe on the scales of the involucre.—, August. Perennial. 3- C. cyanus (Corn Blue-bottle).— Outer scales of the involucre deeply toothed ; leaves very narrow,
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