236 



GLIMPSES INTO PLANT-LIFE 



end. Now the dandelion seed descends in a similar 

 manner, touching the ground first with its lower 

 end, the weight of the seed enabling it to drop into 

 some hole in the soil, and the S[)in}' projections at 

 the upper end preventing the feather}- part of the 



goat's hkard. 



seed from dragging it out again. The common 

 goat's-beard is perhaps the uK^st beautiful English 

 example of fruit with a downy pappus. A single 

 flower will produce a sphere as large as a cricket- 

 ball, and each seed is furnished with a starlike 



