33(> 



NATURE -STUDY 



head. On the other hand, the thistle and baehclor's-but- 

 ton have only the tubular flowers. Compare these with 

 the sunflower. 



Tile dandelion and the thistle and other composites have 

 hit upon a very ingenious device for scattering the seed, that 



is, by jjroducing silken i)ara- 

 chutes attached to the seed. 

 Examine a dandelion or 

 thistle head gone to seed. 

 Blow off the downy mass 

 from the dandelion and see 

 how the "seeds" float away 

 in the air by means of the 

 httlc umbrella-shaped jiara- 

 chute. 



Go out into the flelds 

 and roadsides and into the 

 flower gardens with llie 

 class and pick out the com- 

 posites. Also note such as 

 have the pjarachute device 

 for scattering the fruit. Some, hke the beggar's-ticks (pitch- 

 forks), form spurs at the top of the fruits, with which they 

 stick to the clothes of man or the fur of animals. Note the 

 bees and butterflies at work pollinating the composites. 



Studying the Common Floivering Plants 



There is a peculiar pleasure in roaming about the fields 

 and woods searching for wild flowers. Who does not de- 

 light at the sight of the first anemone or bloodroot in spring? 

 To find a pink lady's-slippcr or the Indian-pipe gives one 



I'li; 135. Thistle. 



