The curiously cut leaf (about 6 inches long) is divided into a large triangular tip, a pair of acute-angled flaring side divisions, and narrow long-pointed bases which project like sharp-pointed wings beyond the stalk they clasp. Occasional leaves are not cut, and are merely lance-shaped. The midrib is flat above, and round beneath; the margin is toothed, with fine, weak spines; the texture is firm, and the surface is smooth and shining. Color, a fine cool green, the underside silvery with bloom. The arrangement is alternate. The flowers are similar in color, size, and arrangement to _S. asper_. The foot-stems are sometimes bristly with short hairs, and at their junction occurs a long-pointed, small leaf, whose margin is entire. Below the flower-cluster the stalk is bare for a considerable space; single flower-heads spring from the angles of the leaves the greater part of its height. The immature flower-heads are wrapped in a woolly blanket. The leaf is something like a Dandelion’s in shape, and interesting from a decorative point of view. These plants are said to be common to many countries,--Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. In the last-named region an old traveller says the parrots “of beauteous dyes, but odious accents” feed upon it. [Illustration: COMMON SOW THISTLE: S. oleraceus.] *Chicory.* _Cichorium Intybus._ *Succory.* *Blue Sailors.* Found, from July to September, growing in dry waste places. The stalk, which varies from 2 to 4 feet in height, is branching, and leafy, rather large, stout and tough of fibre, and rigid in growth; it is grooved and hairy. The color is gray-green. The leaf is not large, oblong in shape, with a sharp tip; the margin is slightly notched, with spreading hairs along the edge; the midrib is strong and the surface is hairy; the gesture curving, or wavy. In color, gray-green. The lower leaves are sharply cut at the base. The arrangement is alternate, and the leaves clasp the stalk. The flower is “strap-shaped,” rather broad, with a finely notched lip; the texture is very fine and thin, and the surface is shining and smooth. The color is an exquisite gray-blue or lavender, sometimes inclining to lilac, or even to pink. The flowers are arranged in heads, composed of several rows, spreading from a leafy green cup, which is closely surrounded by 4 or 6 little leaves (or “bracts”): all these parts being hairy. The heads are set close to the stalk in groups of twos and threes, in the angles of leaves, or singly on short stout stems.