336 



NATURE-STUDY 



head. On the other hand, the thistle and bachelor's-but- 

 ton have only the tubular flowers. Compare these with 

 the sunflower. 



The dandelion and the thistle and other composites have 

 hit upon a very ingenious device for scattering the seed, that 



is, by producing silken para- 

 chutes attached to the seed. 

 Examine a dandelion or 

 thistle head gone to seed. 

 Blow off the downy mass 

 from the dandelion and see 

 how the "seeds" float away 

 in the air by means of the 

 little umbrella-shaped para- 

 chute. 



Go out into the fields 

 and roadsides and into the 

 flower gardens with the 

 class and pick out the com- 

 posites. Also note such as 

 FIG. 135- Thistle. 1^^ t h e parachute device 



for scattering the fruit. Some, like the beggar 's-ticks (pitch- 

 forks), form spurs at the top of the fruits, with which they 

 stick to the clothes of man or the fur of animals. Note the 

 bees and butterflies at work pollinating the composites. 



Studying the Common Flowering Plants 



There is a peculiar pleasure in roaming about the fields 

 and woods searching for wild flowers. Who does not de- 

 light at the sight of the first anemone or bloodroot in spring ? 

 To find a pink lady's-slipper or the Indian-pipe gives one 



