WAYSIDE WEEDS. 



73 



wort (Fig. 44), In the wild chamomile (Fig. 43), you 

 will find tliem similar ; but not so in the hawkweed 

 (Fig. 51) or in the dandelion, which should not 

 have waited our special mention until now. In the 

 latter, the florets are all strap-shaped, hke those of 

 the colt's-foot ray; whilst in the thistle (Fig. 50), 

 and other allied composites, they are all tubular, 

 like those of the colt^s-foot disk. 



¥zBr. 50, — Section of Headj or Capltuluni} of common Thiatle. a, 0oretB ; 

 bf common receptacle ; c, bracts, or inTolncre. 



It will be an excellent lesson and exercise for 

 you to ga1;her these composite blossoms and examine 

 them. You must expect, in doing so, to find con- 

 siderable variation in the distribution of the stamens 

 and pistils in the tiuy fiorets. The composites form 

 such an extensive family, tbat botanists are fain to 

 divide them, according to these floret distinctions, 



