Dandelions 47 



being each the developed and ripened seed-case 

 or " ovary" of a fertilized floret, are fruits. 



The feathery balls of ripe dandelion fruits are 

 frequently in requisition among children anxious 

 11 to find out what time it is." Hence it is, 

 perhaps, that dandelions have been nicknamed 

 " peasant's-clocks " and " blow-balls." The shaven 

 and shorn aspect of the remnant, after the winged 

 fruits have departed, has suggested two other local 

 English names for the flower, "monk's-head" 

 and " priest's-crown." 



The tip of each young fruit elongates into a 

 slender beak, raising the tuft of hairs, which are 

 laid together, side by side, like the ribs of a closed 

 umbrella (Fig. 4, d). But when the fruit is ripe the 

 hairs bend downward and assume the position of 

 the ribs of an open umbrella (Fig. 4, e). Thus the 

 fruits become provided with a silken parachute 

 apiece, and are ready to fly on the wings of the 

 wind and sow themselves far and wide. They 

 will not drop beside the parent plant into soil 

 which has been drained of the substances which 

 are particularly necessary and wholesome to dan- 

 delions. They will emigrate, flying on gauzy wings 

 to " fresh woods and pastures new." 



Each fruit, let us notice, is roughened with little 



