CYNAROCEPHALÆ. Carlina lanata. (Linn.) ரு HE kind first mentioned is probably the thistle of Gen. iii. 18 and of Job xxxi. 40. The latter, and a lofty species with double leaves and large globe flowers, called by Dr. Clarke Echinops grandiflora, are more extensively found than any others of the almost numberless varieties of the Palestine thistle. In no other country do thorns and thistles grow in greater abundance and diversity than in the "land of promise." The varieties of this plant seem to be running riot over the face of the whole country, as though in triumphant contrast with the state of affairs in the prosperous days of Israel. Among the thistles of Palestine is the artichoke, called also the cynara, found wild upon Mount Tabor. It was introduced into England during the time of Henry VIII., by a French priest, Wolf, the gardener of that monarch. He also introduced some delicate plums and the apricot from Syria and Palestine. Hasselquist noticed eight or ten varieties of thistles on his way from Jerusalem to Ramah, a distance of only five miles. The Carduus Arabicus is a small thistle, very correctly represented in Plate IV. from a specimen in my possession which was plucked in the northern part of Palestine. It bears a flower of a bright pink color, almost crimson, the petals of which partake of that peculiarity of the order of the gnaphalium or "everlasting flowers" which causes them to retain their color for so long a time. It is found throughout the land, among the rocks and fallen walls. In the beautiful parable which Jehoash, king of Israel, uttered when Amaziah challenged him to battle, the allusion is probably to this thistle. The words are the same in 2 Kings xiv. 9 and 2 Chron. xxv. 18. "The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle." The carduus is the thistle of Lebanon, a showy plant, with numerous short, thorn-edged leaves. Jehoash's parable was a prophetical illustration; for the wild beast did tread down the thistle, since Jehoash, though he declined the challenge, finally met the challenger and conquered him, and tore down a part of Jerusalem, where he made his residence. Even in the thistle there is sustenance for cattle and many birds; and the goldfinch of Lebanon (beautifully figured and colored in "Palestine Past and Present") feeds upon the seeds of this plant,-whence it receives its Latin name carduus, as well as its French chardonneret, from chardon, a thistle. |