32 



NATURE STUDY 



US with clover seed and has spread into our fields. The 



structure of its flower is very similar to that of the sun- 

 flower. Like many other plants, its root 

 leaves are different from the stem leaves. 

 The Wild Carrot, very commonly 

 found even within city limits in waste 

 lots, is sometimes called Bird's Nest, 

 because the flower clusters are hollowed 

 out in the centre, although, when quite 

 in bloom, the top is flat or convex, in- 

 stead of concave. This plant belongs to 

 the same family as parsley, caraway, 

 and carrot. One of the distinguishing 

 traits of the family is the flower clus- 

 ters, which look much like inverted um- 

 brellas. 



Not less common is Butter axd 

 Eggs, or Toadflax. This flower will be 



an easy riddle for children who 



know the floral parts perfectly. 



The five-parted calyx is obvious 



enough, but the tAvo-lipped, irregu- 

 lar corolla is a little puzzling. 



The honey is secreted at the base 



of the ovary, but is kept in the 



spur. No animals can get at it, 



but those with long tongues, such 



as the bumble bee. Guided by 



the bright orange of the lower lip, 



the bee presses it down and helps 



himself to the nectar within. 



The structure of the flower of the ^NIorxixg Glory is 



very evident. Note also the star, and the fact, rather 



Black-eyed Susan, 

 or Purple Cone 

 Flower. 





Wild Carrot. 



