THE STUDY OF THE DANDELION. 23 



and spread out the seeds where they will catch the 

 wind. When this work is done, it shrivels and dies. 



No less interesting as a study in adaptation to en- 

 vironment is the involucre, with its rows of alternating, 

 overlapping bracts. Note how all the rows of bracts 

 protect the buds (see frontispiece, Fig. A, 1) ; how, as 

 the flower develops, the outer rows are turned back or 

 reflexed, while the inner row closes over and protects 

 the flower at night, and often during storms, opening in 

 the morning or when the sunshine returns ; how finally 

 it remains closed about the flower, sometimes for several 

 days, while it is perfecting its seeds (see frontispiece, 

 Fig. A, 3) ; how as the beak elongates and pushes up 

 the pappus, this inner row of bracts also elongates and 

 protects the developing seeds and their growing wings 

 or parachutes, until the change in the form of the re- 

 ceptacle begins to push the seeds apart. Then the 

 inner row of bracts is also reflexed. 



The work of the involucre, to protect bud and flower 

 and undeveloped seeds from excess of moisture and 

 sudden changes in temperature, is now done, and, with 

 the scape and receptacle, the bracts shrivel and die. 



Is not the involucre more than " three rows of imbri- 

 cated bracts, the inner row erect, the outer rows re- 

 flexed"? Is it not almost intelligent? Does not its 

 structure embody a thought ? 



If we are not satisfied with describing the blossom 

 and hairy fruit as two distinct things, but patiently 

 watch the process by which the flower changes to fruit, 

 constantly asking why and how, we shall learn much 



