FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 57 



posite Order," ^ sometimes spoken of as the " Sunflower 

 Family." 



We all know the big Sunflower, with its soft central 

 cushion of yellow florets, and the large outstanding 

 yellow rays. This is an important member of the 

 Family; and, indeed, a great Sunflower looks as if he 

 had an extremely good opinion of himself. 



Then we have Dandelions, and Thistles, and Chry- 

 santhemums, and China Asters, and many more ; though 

 it must not be taken for granted that every plant with 

 " composite flowers " belongs to the same Tribe. Other 

 marks beside those already named distinguish its 

 members. But we have not space to go farther into the 

 matter here ; though I think we may spare room to quote 

 what our northern poet of past days had to say about 

 a Daisy-plant, which stern duty forced him to demolish. 



" Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower, 

 Thou's met me in an evil hour; 

 For I maun crush anaang the stoiire 



Thy slender stem; 

 To spare thee now is past my power, 



Thou bonny gem. 



" Cauld blew the bitter biting north 

 Upon thy early, humble birth; 

 Yet cheerfully thou glinted forth 



Amid the storm ; 

 Scarce reared above the parent earth 



Thy tender form. 



** The flaunting flowers our gardens yield, 

 High shelt'ring woods and wa's maun shield, 

 But thou, beneath the random bield ^ 



O' clod or stane. 

 Adorns the histie ^ stibble -field, 



Unseen, alane. 



* Order, Composite. 2 Shelter. ^ Dry. 



