110 The Great World's Farm 



use. In the wild clematis, for instance, so far from 

 withering it grows, and not only lengthens out, but becomes 

 silky and feathery, ready to catch any puff of wind, and 

 very easily carried through the air. When it drops, the 

 heavier end, the ovary with its seed, naturally touches the 

 ground first, and is caught at last, perhaps after two or 

 three journeys, in damp soil or moss, or some crack in the 

 earth. 



In the dandelion it is the upper part of the calyx which 

 enables the seed to float through the air. A dandelion- 

 blossom is com.posed of many small florets, each having 

 its own calyx and pistil. The lower part of each pistil is 

 entirely inclosed in its own small calyx, and inseparably 

 united with it. The upper part of this calyx is divided 

 into fine feathery hairs, which at first form a crown to the 

 ovary, and look as if they grew from it. But later, as 

 the ovary ripens, this crown is pushed upwards on a fine 

 stalk, and looks like a miniature parachute, or an umbrella 

 turned inside out, and it catches the wind as easily, the 

 merest breath being enough to float it. 



We need not do more than mention the down of the 

 thistle and many other plants, the wind-like appendages 

 of the seeds of the ash, maple, and sycamore, commonly 

 called "keys," and the long, paper-like leaf-scales attached 

 to the flower-stalks of the lime, which answer a similar 

 purpose; or the wing-like expansions by which many 

 seeds are themselves bordered, and which act the part of 

 miniature sails. 



The seeds of the water-pink of Ceylon are helped on 

 their way by other means; they are inclosed in circular 

 heads, measuring eight or nine inches across, and beset 

 with elastic spines which stand out in all directions. 



