

A WINTER WEED. 49 



others of its near relations, the outer florets of each 

 liead have become flattened into long ornamental 

 rays, so as to play the part of petals to the compound 

 group. In this way they make the little bunch very 

 noticeable to all passing insects. The ray florets, 

 when closely examined, look like tubes split down 

 one side and opened out, so as to produce as much 

 show as possible. They are the attractive part of the 

 flower-head, and they do little active work themselves, 

 having no stamens and no pollen, but laying them- 

 selves out mainly to look pretty alone. For this 

 purpose they are coloured white, with pinky tips, 

 instead of being yellow, like the central florets. Yet, 

 of course, the whole plant is ultimately benefited by 

 this arrangement, because the insects are thus induced 

 to visit the entire little colony at once, and by carry- 

 ing pollen from one floret to another, to fertilise the 

 whole row of yellow bells then open. For if you look 

 intently into a daisy, you will see that it does not 

 open all over at the same time, but begins opening 

 from the edge, and gradually proceeds towards the 

 centre ; so that in most daisies you will find a row or 

 two of over-blown florets outside, a row just open or 

 opening half -way through, and a lot of unopened little 

 buds in the very middle. Doubtless, this arrange- 

 ment also conduces to the good of the plant, by 

 ensuring the highest and best sort of cross-fertilisa- 

 tion that which is obtained by impregnating the 

 blossoms of one individual with pollen brought from 

 those of another. 



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