THE STUDY OF THE DANDELION. 



(see Fig. 3), when carefully separated from the recep- 

 tacle, is found to have at its base a small rounded body 

 which, when examined with a magnifying-glass, is seen 

 to consist of a minute sack (the ovary), enclosing a 

 single seed (the seed and its enclosing sack forming 

 when ripe an akene), with a very short stem above the 

 ovary (called the leak). Extending upward and out- 

 ward from the upper end of 

 the beak are a great number 

 of fine, soft hairs (the clus- 

 ter of hairs being known as 

 the pappus), in the position 

 of and representing the outer 

 part (the calyx) of ordinary 

 flowers, such as the butter- 

 cup. (See Fig. 5.) Sur- 

 rounded by these hairs, and 

 attached, like them, to the 

 upper end of the beak above 

 the ovary (hence called 

 epigynous, meaning upon or 

 above the ovary), is the lar- 

 ger, more prominent division, the corolla. (Compare with 

 same part in the buttercup, Fig. 5). This is much longer 

 than the pappus, yellow, united at base into a short tube, 

 and split open and spread out flat above into a long 

 strap-shaped (ligulate) corolla, with usually five minute 

 teeth at the upper end, indicating in a rudimentary way 

 the division of the corolla into petals. (See Fig. 5.) 

 An upward thread-like extension of the beak (called 



Fig. 3. 



Flower of Dandelion Enlarged. 

 Single Flower. 



