fused mass of data. While describing the leaves, he has 
nothing to do with the stem, and while on the stem, foli- 
age and flowers are not under consideration. 
The family Composite is the largest of the flowering 
orders and includes one-tenth, at least, of all Phanerogam- 
ous plants. Here, in the United States, it is probable that 
by August and September this proportion is even higher. 
There are but few in early Spring— the dandelion, the early 
everiasting {Antennaria plant aginifolia), the colt's foot 
{Tussilago farfara) and the golden rag- wort {Senecio 
aureus). After May they rapidly increase until finally 
wood, meadow, hill and vale teem' with them. 
While the family is an easily recognized one, it is well 
to sum up Its more manifest characteristics and to point 
at the differences between it and certain nearly related, 
but much smaller groups. 
In considering the features of a large assemblage of 
plants which have caused it to be styled a family, we must 
note in what points they all agree. There will be a type 
modifies most variously. These modifi'ca- 
; conception of genera and species. 
tions lead i 
We find Composite have these points in c 
A. Mixed inflorescence, in which the special clusters 
(heads) are indeterminate, but the heads themselves 
cymously disposed. 
B. Florets, commonly minute, either tubular or 
strap-shaped and either kind alone' or tubular florets 
associated -^yith strap-shaped ones. 
C. A calyx-like involucre surrounding the florets. 
D. Calyx coherent with ovary, w^ith or w^ithout 
pappus. 
E. Corolla gamopetalous 5 or 4 lobed and valvate in 
the bud. 
F. Anthers syngenesious, i. e., united leaving fila- 
ments free. 
G. Stigma usually two-cleft, but the ovarv (and 
resultant achene) one-celled, with a single basal, inverted 
ovule. 
