200 GROWTH AND WORK OF PLANTS 



is more or less spiral, and the seeds whirl in a peculiar fashion as 

 they fly through the air. The akene which contains the seed is 

 heavier than the feathery style, and as it falls to the ground the 

 end which contains the radicle ij brought next the ground, so that 

 the chance of germination and the establishment of the seedling in 



Fig. 161. 

 Dandelion seeds. 



the ground is favored. Striking examples are seen in the " seeds " 

 or akenes of many of the composite flowers like the dande- 

 lion, thistle, prickly lettuce, etc. Here the hairy pappus on the 

 end of a long beak provides for the floating of the fruit, its action 

 being much like that of a parachute as the akene slowly comes to 



