1212 Development of a Dandelion Flower. (December, 
With this division confirmed in the structure of the stem and leaf, 
we approach the development of the flower as the first index of 
subdivisions. We are in the habit of making these subdivisions — 
in the group of dicotyledons upon the basis of petals distinct, 
united or wanting ; when in order of development this distinction 
appears immediately after that of inferior or superior ovary. 
Turning now to the specific case of the dandelion, we find that 
the first structure which stands for each flower is a broadly ob- 
conical mass, very flat and very smooth upon its upper surface 
k (Fig. 1 a). This represents the broadened ex- 
á e tremity of the lateral axis which is to bear the 
flower, and thus far the developmental path pur 
sued by flowers with inferior and those with 
superior ovaries is the same. At the next step, 
however, which is really the first step in the development of trie | 
floral organs, the path divides, and in the case before us the apial 
cells cease to grow and all further axial development is completely 
suppressed. The peripheral cells of our obconical mass, wert, 
continue to develop, and almost immediately five points p 
cially rapid growth are detected, which make the upper edged 
the rising ring faintly five-lobed (Fig. 1 6). This ring conti 
to develop until the whole structure has assumed the app This 
ofa a with very thick bottom and scolloped rim (Fig. = 
; cup continues to elongate and hence ae 
Fae more and more decidedly ee 
presently a shallow horizontal constriction begins t0% 
t pear (Fig. 3), dividing the whole mass at first into 
Fic. 2. equal divisions and first distinguishing the | 0 
above from the ovary below. This line of division forms a! . 
parent node, and from this, without and igs a ne ee 
<n Ss, e A 
PP sion all the other floral organ Re have ; 
real origin there. although, in the ret pe > 
atic botany, such would be ca 
this insertion, however, is the real origin, | 
development is both acropetal ape basip' 
ginning with the corolla, we have th a ‘anedes 
neecium appearing in acropet ; the 
finally the calyx. The only inference is, that all four 
organs are blended together in the ern ring whee 
pS) le See ee V es 
Fic. L 
Fic. $ 
