106 CIIICKWEED. 



Observe, therefore, a small penthouse formed 

 by the capsule, for the capsule in this plant 

 is permanent ; it may not wither and fall off 

 like that of th^ poppy oi" coni-flower, which 

 does not require its assistance. Thus pro- 

 tected, the seed-vessel continues reversed 

 during a few days ; at the end of which 

 the stem straightens, and uplifts the seed- 

 vessel to the influence of the sun. Here, 

 then, another process is discoverable : the 

 capsule splits into six small di^^sions at the 

 top ; through which both air and light are 

 freely admitted to the enclosed seeds. When 

 their active ministry is finished, and the 

 seeds are fully ripe, the stem bends again, 

 and empties, as from an urn, the innumer- 

 able seeds upon the earth. Thus does every 

 single stem change its position at least four 

 times, to suit the different stages of growth 

 or of decay. Upright, when first the sim- 

 ple flower is unfolded to the light, with its 



