THE STUDY OF THE DANDELION. 



29 



In two days or more, depending on weather and tem- 

 perature, after the florets have been fertilized, and the 

 dandelion blossom has finally closed, the pappus of 

 each flower is pushed, by the lengthening of the beak, 

 above the enclosing involucre , the receptacle becomes 

 convex instead of concave (compare Figs. B and A, 

 5, in frontispiece), causing each pappus to separate 

 from all the others, and the Jiairs to spread out like 

 an umbrella inverted, and we have the " hairy open 

 spherical head," each seed with its bal- 

 loon spread ready to catch the wind and 

 sail away. The dandelion mother shows 

 no favoritism. She gives each seed baby 

 a choice seat on her tower, from which 

 to view the world and take flight. 



Mother Dandelion's care for her seeds 

 does not end with the arrangements for 

 their dispersal by the friendly wind. Not 

 merely does she provide each seed with 

 a balloon, or parachute, but to each she 

 gives a set of grappling irons to anchor 

 again to Mother Earth. If we examine carefully (see 

 Fig. 14), we shall find about the upper end of each 

 seed many little spines growing obliquely outward and 

 upward. As the seed, after its flight in the air, settles 

 down, these spines catch in the grass, and then the 

 swaying of the parachute causes the seed to work 

 deeper and deeper into the grass. If it alights on rock 

 or hard soil, it is not so apt to catch, but may be 

 carried farther, to a more promising landing-place. 



Fig. 14. 

 Seed of Dandelion. 



