21 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND BLOSSOMS. 



as a representative of the second series of Composite genera. 

 The plant has no proper stem, the leaves springing directly 

 from the long, thick root. From their midst arise the flower- 

 heads on their hollow stalks. The floral envelope (involucre] 

 consists of a double row of scales (bracts], the inner long, the 

 outer shorter. The outer are turned back and clasp the stalk, 

 the inner erect. Take off a single floret and examine with a 

 lens. It will be seen that each is a perfect flower, containing 

 both anthers and stigmas. The ovary is crowned by the corolla, 

 which is invested by a pappus of soft white silky hairs. 

 Within the corolla the five anthers unite to form a tube, in 

 which is the style, which divides above into two stigmas. After 

 fertilization the corollas wither, the inner bracts closing over 

 them while the fruits grow. Then the bracts open again, 

 each pappus spreads into a parachute, and the whole of 

 them constitute the fluffy ball by which children feign to 

 tell the time. A light wind detaches them, and they float 

 off to disperse the seeds far and wide. The only British 

 species. 



The name is believed to be derived from two Greek words, 

 Taraxos, disorder, and akos, remedy : in allusion to its well- 

 known medicinal qualities as an alterative. 



The Bugle (Ajuga reptans\ and 

 The Forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris). 



The Common Bugle meets one from April to July in wood 

 and field, and on the waste places by the roadside. It is a 

 creeping plant, runners being sent out from the short stout 

 rootstock, and these rooting send up flowering stems from \ to 

 i foot in height. The leaves from the root are stalked ; those 

 from the stem are not. The flowers and the upper bract are 

 dull purple in colour. The flowers are peculiarly fashioned in 

 what is botanically termed a labiate manner : that is to say, the 



