174 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



been said that they are absorbed by the leaves. The flowers of the 

 Teasel are collected in large heads, covered with straight, stiff 

 bristles, and have an involucre of bracts which curve upwards. 

 The flowers are of a pale purple colour. They commence to open 

 near the middle of the head, forming a horizontal circle ; and then 



2 4 1 



TEASEL-HEADS, 



1, 2, and 3 are successive flowering stages. 4, The 

 elongated head in fruit. 



they expand both upwards and downwards from this level. The 

 flowers are not conspicuous individually, nor does each individual 

 flower produce much pollen ; but the large heads of bloom attract 

 numerous insects which cUmb about among the flowers in search 

 of nectar, covering their bodies with pollen, and thus aiding the 

 process of fertilisation. 



