240 



NATURE STUDY 



The pappus (calyx teeth) is carried up above the 

 ovary in the fruit, thus making a balloon easily blown 

 about by the wind. 



The involucre not only protects the flowrets in the bud, 

 but at night, or during a rain, closes around them. It 

 performs the same office for the ripening fruits, which 

 are often further protected by the bending downwards of 

 the stem. When they are fully ripe, this rises again. 



Stigma 



Fruit 



Dandelion, cross section of receptacle surrounded by involucral leaves, 

 flower, fruit. 



thus aiding in the distribution of the fruits. What 

 wonder that a plant so marvellously protected during its 

 whole history, and with so many efficient devices for the 

 wide distribution of its fruits, should be one of our com- 

 monest weeds! 



Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) : 



This plant belongs to the Composites also, but, unlike 

 the dandelion, has both disk and ray flowers. The ray 

 flowers have no stamens. Perhaps for this reason, in 



