A BIT OF GROUNDSEL. 101 



possible polish, is the chief cause of its beauty as a jewel. When 

 subjected to friction, it becomes highly electric, and after being 

 exposed to the sun or to a galvanic current, it is said to show 

 phosphoresence in the dark. 



(To be co?itimied.) 



a Bit of (Brounbecl. 



By Rev. H. W. Lett, M.A., Trin. Coll., Dub. 

 Plates II and 12. 



<< T7AR-OFF cows have long horns" is applicable to the ideas 

 X/ of many a possessor of a microscope ; the cabinet, con- 

 versation, and practice of such showing that little is 

 thought of any " object," unless it be of select — perhaps Chal- 

 lenger reputation ; whereas the weeds and pebbles crushed under 

 foot every day can furnish work for many a night, and thoughts 

 for weeks to come. 



" A wayside plant, a common weed, 

 Will furnish all that we can need." 

 To illustrate this philosophy, let us take a bit of common 

 Groundsel — Senecio vulgaris — so well known as a favourite food of 

 the bird-fancier's pets, examine it microscopically, and see some- 

 thing of what may be added to the descriptions given in the 

 ordinary works on common flowers. 



Groundsel, being a native of Northern Europe, and found in 

 all cool climates, and flowering nearly all the year round, can be 

 easily procured. It is also a typical representative of the largest 

 and most complete natural order of plants, viz. — the Compositce^ 

 all of which are herbs or half-shrubs. Their flowers are crowded 

 together in dense heads upon a common receptacle, surrounded 

 by an outer, close-fitting, calyx-like involucre (Plate XL, Fig. 8). 

 Each of these heads or colonies of flowers is a veritable fairy 

 bouquet, ready in its holder for Queen Mab to pluck. It will be 



