PLATE XXV.— DAISY (Bellis perennis) and DANDELION (Taraxacum dens-leonis). 



The Daisy and Dandelion are the commonest representatives of a Natural Order which is the largest known, and universal in its 

 distribution. The flowers are arranged in great numbers side by side on the extremity of a stalk — flattened or conical — and from 

 having such compound heads of flowers, they are reckoned composite plants or Composite. The large numbers and wide distribution of 

 this Order are associated with a condensation of parts carried to its greatest possible extent Not only are the flowers, as a whole, 

 as closely packed as possible into a Head, but the individual flowers have their various parts bound together in closest union. This 

 compactness gives a completeness to the whole for insect-fertilisation, inasmuch as a number of flowers are likely to be fertilised by one 

 visit of the insect 



The Daisy and Dandelion are types of the two great divisions of this Order — the Daisy having tubular flowers, except the outer 

 row, and a watery juice; while the Dandelion has strap-shaped or ligulate flowers and a milky juice. 



Daisy. 



Fig. 1. Slit up a Flower-head from its base upwards. 



Flowers, sessile, on a common Receptacle which is conical. 

 Bracts, forming a single whorl. 



The outer Flowers are strap-shaped and constitute the Ray, while the inner are tubular and form the Disc. 



The flowers open from the outside inwards, so that the youngest are towards the centre. 



Fig. 2. Detach a single flower from the Ray, and magnify it. 



(a.) Ordinary form, magnified. 



(b.) Occasional form, more highly magnified. 

 Calyx may be represented by a short tuft cf hairs called the Pappus. 

 Corolla, in one piece, tubular at the base, gradually flattening out, and ending in two small lobes. In some, 



however, there are distinct indications or" five small lobes, thus showing the five-fold nature of the corolla 

 Stamens, absent 

 Gyncecium of two united Carpels, as indicated by the bi-lobed stigma; but in the flower with five-lobcd corolla, the 



stigma was also five-lobed. The Ovary is elongated. 



The Ray-flower is thus seen to be Female, and consists of a probable remnant of a Calyx, a Corolla of five 

 united Petals, and a Gyncecium of five united Carpels. 



Fig. 3. Remove a flower from the Disc, and magnify it 



The Corolla is tubular and distinctly five-lobed, usually, and the Stigma is two-lobed; but there are no hairs 

 crowning the Ovary. 



Fig. 4. Open up tubular Corolla with dissecting needle, and spread it out as much as possible. 

 The flower is now seen to be bi-sexual. 



The Stamens have short Filaments attached to corolla, and the Anthers are united so as to form a tube round 

 the style. 



Fig. 5. Look for specimens without Ray-flowers, with much enlarged common Receptacle studded over with small Fruits, or 

 possibly lying in the cup-like whorl of bracts. 



(a, b.) Fruit is an Achene, as on examination it will be found to be one-seeded, dry, and does not open. 



Dandelion. 



Fig. 6. Flower-head unopened, with portion of Stalk. 



The stalk is usually leafless, but sometimes bears a reduced one. 

 There is an outer set of recurved bracts, and an inner upright set 



Fig. 7. Flower-head slit up. 



Common Receptacle is a flat expansion of a hollow stalk. 

 Flowers are all strap-shaped, and the outer open first 



Fig. 8. Detach an outer mature flower and an inner less mature flower. 

 (a.) Calyx, represented by Pappus, well-developed. 

 Corolla with five distinct teeth. 



Stamens with short Filaments, and long Anthers united to form a tube. 



Gynoecium of two united Carpels, the lobes of the Stigma curling over and fertilising themselves, if insect 

 should fail to do so. 

 (b.) At this stage the Stigma projects beyond the Corolla, and has mere indications of two lobes. 



Fig. 9. Carefully remove the wall of the Ovary with needles, and expose single Ovule. 



Figs. 10 and 11. The Fruit is very unlike that of the Daisy, in being conspicuous, and having a stalk bearing a tuft of hairs. 

 These hairs catch the faintest breath of wind, and so disperse the fruit 



Fig. 12. Cut the fruit in two, and expose seed 



There is one seed filling up the cavity, without endosperm. 



Fig. 13. The ordinary Foliage-leaf is deeply segmented, the apex of the triangular segments pointing downwards. 



The occasional Leaf on Stalk is much smaller, less segmented, and altogether simpler. 

 Fig. 14. The bracts may be traced through all gradations from a lobed leaf, as en stalk, till next the flower it becomes 

 thoroughly simple, and even some of the petals are intermediate between bract and petal 



CLASSIFICATION. 



Class. — Dicotyledon. 

 Division. — Gamopetalae, 

 Order. — Compositae. 



Flowers, sessile, and in heads. 



Corolla, in one piece, ligulate or tubular. 



Stamens, epipetalous; anthers forming a tube. 



Ovary, inferior, with one Ovule. 



Fruit, an achene. 



Seed without endosperm. 



