found it near the Start Point, Devon, and at Gwithian, in
Cornwall, in the autumn of 1852; and Mr. Newbould and the
present writer gathered it on the shore of Lough Neagh, by
Shanes Castle, in Ireland, on September 9 of the same year.
More recently it has been noticed in many parts of England.
Mr. Watson has authority for recording its presence in eight
of his Provinces, the most northern of them being The Lakes.
This plant much resembles A. Eupatoria it. 1335) in
general appearance, and has doubtless been often mistaken
for that species. When bearing fruit, their difference is seen
at a glance; for the present plant has then the tube of the
calyx bell-shaped, and nearly, if not altogether, smooth below
the exterior declining prickles; that of A. Eupatoria is turbinate
or obconic, deeply furrowed almost throughout, and
its lower prickles always spread horizontally or even ascend.
The young calyx of A. odorata has shallow furrows on its
upper half, but they disappear as the fruit ripens: on that of
A. Eupatoria they extend to the base of the calyx, and are
persistent. The leaves of our present plant bear very many
minute odoriferous glands on their under surface, which are
easily seen, and the species is easily ascertained by the pleasant
scent produced by slight friction.
The quantity of nuts produced is not a constant character,
although one is the most common number perfected by A.
Eupatoria, and two by A. odorata. The shape of the calyx
is not influenced materially by the number of nuts.
A. odorata is a larger plant in all respects than its ally. It
is not unfrequently 3-4 feet high. It flowers from June to
September.
Our specimens were gathered by A. G. More, Esq., at
Yaverland, Isle of Wight, on September 9, 1862.
At [a) we have added the conical and ribbed calyx of the
true A. Eupatoria for comparison with that of A. odorata.—
C. C. B.