THE STUDY OF THE DANDELION. 



11 



classification, we find that each flower is separate, with 

 a distinct flower stem, instead of having, as in the 

 dandelion, many minute flowers without stems crowded 

 in a close cluster, or head. Each complete flower has 

 an outer green calyx, somewhat cup- or saucer-shaped 

 (calyx meaning a cup), 

 with, usually, five divis- 

 ions (the sepals). This 

 corresponds in position 

 to the pappus of the dan- 

 delion. If we could ex- 

 amine many kinds of com- 

 posite flowers, we would 

 find many gradations in 

 form between the calyx 

 of the buttercup and the 

 pappus of the dandelion. 

 Hence the botanist as- 

 sumes that the two cor- 

 respond, but are modified 

 in the two plants, be- 

 cause they have a different work to do, or have different 

 functions. The corolla, or " little crown," instead of 

 being composed of one piece united into a tube at the 

 base, as in the dandelion, consists of five or more yellow 

 parts (the petals), together forming the most attractive 

 and crowning feature of the flower. Within the corolla, 

 and above the base of the petals, are many yellow parts 

 (the stamens), each with its thread-like base (the fil- 

 ament) and enlarged upper part (the anther), but all 



Fig. 6. Flower of Buttercup Dissected. 



