LOBELIA CARDINALIS 



96 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



numerous families of the 

 Composites ; for each and 

 all of them have adopted 

 : a s i m i 1 a r mechanism. 

 ^^''hen we speak of a 

 daisy, thistle, or some other 

 hranch of this family, we mean 

 the floM^er-head, composed of 

 an enormous number of mi- 

 nute florets packed closely 

 together, competing with one another, yet work- 

 ing together for the good of their race. 



These little flowers are of two kinds: tubular 

 flowers, as seen in the sketch of the Joe Pye weed, 

 and ray flowers, as seen in that of the lion's-foot. 

 Both kinds are found in the head of the Black-ej^ed 

 Susan, the white daisy, the sunflower. They are 

 quite variable as to their stamens and pistils, some- 

 times being perfect flowers, sometimes pistillate 

 only, and again they are neuter or sterile. 



Joe Pye weed — Etipatorium purpureum 

 August-Sept. 



In late summer every moist place is crowded with 

 a dense growth of so-called weeds, of various forms 

 and hues, but old Joe Pve towers above them all, 

 lending a dignity and charm of colour, and the 



