ROADSIDES AND NEGLECTED CORNERS 



59 



latter has the leaves much cut up into narrow lobes, which 

 resemble small rags. The former has very large leaves 

 which are deeply three-lobed. Can you tell now why these 

 plants are called Ragweeds ? Both of them are annuals. 

 How can you prove that ? Their seeds are dispersed by the 



wind and sometimes with 

 grain. Both do some in- 

 jury to grain, if they are 

 allowed to grow in it. 



FIG. 13. LEAF OF GIANT RAGWEED. 

 Much reduced. 



FIG. 14. LEAF OF COMMON 



RAGWEED. 

 Much reduced. 



No. 3. The False Sunflower. 



This is another very large weed. It is found in cultivated 

 soil, along roads, and in waste places, where it grows from 

 two to six feet high and the stem may become from one 

 half to two inches thick. The leaves resemble closely 

 those of the sunflower, but their margins are more cut- 

 toothed. Do you think these three weeds are fertilized by 

 insects ? 



The various kinds of spiders aud how they secure their prey. 



