or ten inches in height, and bears many pretty purple flowerets set in the midst of straw-coloured rays. The carline's sensitiveness to weather changes continues long after it has been cut or pulled, provided the heads have not been much hurt or bruised in the process; on the same principle, we suppose, that some animals are known to manifest unmistakeable signs of muscular irritability long after they are otherwise, as we should say, to all intents and purposes dead. We have generally met with the carline thistle among sickly-growing oats, on poor, thin soil, and sometimes among other luxuriant weeds in a neglected potato field. It is amusing, by the way, sometimes to see bonnet-badges and pictorial representations of what you are supposed to believe is the Scottish thistle, evidently copied to the life from one of the carline family! which are but pigmies in stature and absolutely harmless in the matter of prickliness compared with the grand stately fellow bristling with prickles strong as darning needles, and sharp and venomous as the sting of a bee, with "Nemo me impune lacessit" in the very look of him--the true national emblem! You remember Burns' reference to it in a very fine stanza that has been often quoted, that indeed everybody has by heart-- "Even then, a wish (I mind its power)-- A wish that to my latest hour Shall strongly heave my breast-- That I for poor auld Scotland's sake Some usefu' plan or book could make, Or sing a sang at least. The rough burr-thistle, spreading wide Amang the bearded bear, I turn'd the weeder-clips aside, And spared the symbol dear: No nation, no station, My envy e'er could raise; A Scot still, but blot still, I knew nae higher praise." --(Epistle to the Guidwife of Wauchope House.) The true Carduus Scotticus is not fond of cultivated land, but is a tremendous fellow when he gets hold of a waste outlying corner to himself, sometimes attaining a height of four or five, or even six feet, with a stem as thick as your wrist, and prickles--no, spikes is the word--with spikes, then, as formidable as the bayonets of a kilted regiment going into action.