14 
The first leaf is intermediate in form between the cotyledons 
and the mature leaves. It is ovate, obtuse, truncate or subcordate 
at base, sparingly denticulate. The petiole is nearly or quite as 
long as the leaf. The succeeding leaves are cordate, denticulate, 
pinnately veined. The plant is strictly biennial. During the first 
year there is no elongation of internodes, consequently the leaves 
are all radical. The tap-root thickens and elongates, but at no 
time is it profusely branched. The hypocoty! disappears, and the 
tap-root appears to extend up to the bases of the leaves. 
Cnicus muticus (Michx.) Pursh. (Plate CKXXVIII. G-K.) The 
~ akene is dark-colored, obovate and smooth; pappus long- 
plumose. The cotyledons and very small hypocotyl are oily 
in the seed. 
The cotyledons, when developed, are obovate, entire, rounded 
at the apex, tapering toward the base, reticulately veined, with 
well-marked mid-rib. Hypocotyl short; tap-root long, only slightly 
branched. 
The first leaves are hairy on both sides, and, like the mature 
plant, bear prickles along their margins. The succeeding leaves 
take on more and more the runcinate character of the radical 
leaves of the mature plant. During the first year’s growth the in- 
ternodes do not elongate. The tap-root thickens and branches 
considerably. 
Taraxacum officinale, Web. (Plate CXXXVIII. L-O.) The fruit of 
the Dandelion consists of three parts, the akene, the beak and 
the pappus. The beak is for the most part a growth which 
takes place after the flower has withered. The akene is short, 
spiny above, obovate, somewhat flattened in the plane of the 
faces of the cotyledons. The hypocotyl is terete, about one- 
third the length of the cotyledons. The latter are one-half as 
wide as long, and when placed face to face, as in the akene, 
they are sub-cylindrical. 
In the seedling the cotyledons are small (5 to 8 mm.), obovate- 
spatulate, apex rounded. The hypocotyl is as long as the cotyle- 
dons; tap-root long, somewhat branched. The first leaves are 
sinuately toothed. Only the later take on the “dens de leonis” 
character. The-tap-root thickens and DIED CES, but retains supfe- . 
macy during the life of the plant. 
