text:  We shall only say that the _Cynara cardunculus_ (a singularly fine thistle or _wild artichoke_;) the prickly uncultivated _love-apple_ (a beautiful variety of the _Solanum_ ) of which the decoction is not infrequently employed in nephritic complaints; the _Ferula_ sighing for occupation all along the sea-shore and shaking its scourge as the wind blows; the _Rhododendron_ in full blossom planted amongst the shingles; the _Thapsia gargarica_ with its silver umbel looking at a short distance like mica (an appearance caused by the shining white fringe of the capsule encasing its seed ) and many other strange and beautiful things were the constant attendants of our march