162 COMPOSITE 



a single plant. This apparent deficiency is, however, well compensated by 

 a peculiar provision. The seeds are four-cornered, and the corners are fur- 

 nished with sharp deflexed prickles. Each of these corners is also prolonged 

 into an awn still more thickly set with prickles than the corner itself. Now, 

 the intention of this conformation is obvious. The seed falls with the awns 

 pointing upwards, the prickles come into action, attach themselves to the 

 various plants which float at or near the surface, and becoming fixed, germinate 

 in a favourable situation ; for as the deflexed prickles fix to the first object 

 which they meet, the seeds are kept as near as possible to the stations of the 

 old plants, and prevented from being carried either on shore or into places 

 which are too deep. How well the prickles are fitted to perform their office 

 may be gathered from a fact mentioned by Lightfoot, that the seeds of the 

 Bidens tripartita have been known sometimes to destroy the Cypnnus auratus, 

 or gold-fish, by adhering to their gills or jaws.' So closely do they attach 

 themselves to whatever they come in contact with ! May not this structure 

 of theirs save them also from the depredations of birds 1" 



We are much indebted to botanists who will prosecute investigations of 

 this kind, and point out these skilful contrivances and adjustments. To many 

 a heart these obvious marks of God's care bring cheering thoughts — remem- 

 brances that they and their sorrows are not too small or unimportant for His 

 notice. They encourage the heart to rise to God in the small as well as the 

 great events of life ; and when this communion between the creature and the 

 Creator is once established, sorrows are consoled and lessened, and understood 

 to be blessings. The calmness and happiness of naturalists are often com- 

 mented upon ; and though it would be folly to affii^m that every naturalist is 

 a Christian, any more than that every naturalist is happy, still it will be 

 manifest that the mind accustomed to look from these evidences of design to 

 the great Designer, must gain a conviction of His skill and love which may 

 support and cheer, and produce a calm reliance on His goodness. 



The Nodding Bur Marigold is in flower from July to October, and, as one 

 might infer from its acridity, it is not relished by cattle, and when chewed 

 excites salivation. Both this and the next species have been used in dyeing 

 yellow. The French call the plant Le Bident ; and it is Der Zweyzalen of the 

 Germans. It is in Holland termed Tandzaad ; in Spain and Italy, Bidente ; 

 and is the Bronsel of the Danes. 



2. Trifid Bur Marigold {D. tripartita). — Leaves 3-parted, serrated ; 

 heads of flowers nearly erect; bristles of the fruit 2 or 3; annual. This 

 is readily distinguished from the other species by the thrice-parted leaves ; 

 the flowers are also smaller, and scarcely drooping. It is in blossom from 

 July to September, on marshy bogs, or by rivers and streams, and possesses 

 a similar acridity to the last species. Both kinds have sometimes a ray of 

 small florets without stamens or pistils. 



25. Galinsoga. 



Small-flowered Galinsoga (G. parviflora). — Leaves egg-shaped, oppo- 

 site, saw-toothed and fringed. Stem slender, downy, branched, from one to 

 two feet high. Flower-heads small, grouped in cymes, the involucral bracts 



