294 THE DAISY FAMILY. 



In the Corymb'ifercB the florets are erect and parallel, except in a 

 few cases where the receptacle is conical ; they are frequently uni- 

 sexual ; the style is not jointed, and the corolla is never inflated. 



The thistle -like and the chicory-like species seldom alter in appear- 

 ance; their structure precludes it. But in the daisy-like species, 

 when under cultivation, there is often considerable change. The 

 tubular florets are converted into ligulate, producing the condition 

 called "double," and shewn so conspicuously in the chief portion of 

 our splendid dahlias, China-asters and chrysanthemums, which in the 

 original wild state were shaped like daisies . 



The chicory-like and the daisy-like species are exceedingly prone 

 to close their flowers in the evening and in cloudy weather ; a few 

 kinds even close during sunshine, every species keeping to a definite 

 hour both in its opening and its shutting. These beautiful and 

 fascinating movements form a large part of the phenomena of the 

 " sleep of plants," the Compositaj supplying the same kind and amount 

 of illustration of it in their flowers, that the Leguminosse do in their 

 leaves. 



Every variety of colour is found among the flowers of this vast 

 family, which includes also some of the largest known blossoms, 

 taking the head of bloom, that is, as a single flower. The constituent 

 florets are among the smallest that can be found. They reserve their 

 beauty in the main till advanced summer and mature autxmin, which 

 we may always discern to be fast approaching, by the profusion of 

 their brilliant stars, whether in garden or field. The daisy, the colts- 

 foot, and one or two others, are all that enliven the spring ; the last 

 flowers that give relief to the wistful eye, when it ranges round the 

 fast-emptying borders of October, are the cheerful lilac and yellow 

 asters of North America. 



The Compositfc are diffused over every part of the world, but in 

 very different proportions. In northern latitudes they are universally 

 herbaceous, but towards the equator they become shrubby, and those 

 of the island of St. Helena are chiefly trees. Their uses are as various 

 as their forms. Very many are medicinal, supplying tonics, bitters, 

 and aroraatics ; fine dyes are yielded by the safflower and others ; and 

 a good many arc available for human food, such as the lettuce, and 

 the Jerusalem artichoke, or Helianthus tuberosus, in its potato-like 

 roots. The proportion of species in any way deleterious appears ta 

 be exceedingly minute. 



