THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 45 
The general star-like appearance of the heads, as 
instanced in a sunflower, accompanied b\- the above 
details, serve to distinguish the family. 
Certain other groups have similar heads and calyx-like 
involucre, notabh- the teasels (Dipsacese) and the calycids 
{Calyceae), but the first has a four-leaved involucre closely 
enveloping the ovary, no pappus, four-cleft corolla, four 
distinct stamens and a suspended seed with albumen. 
The seed of Compositae shows no such endosperm. 
Many years ago a writer in The American Naturalist 
(Tracv) spoke of Compositse as among The Roval Fami- 
lies of Plants. Humble as individuals may be, even tramp- 
ing among weeds, thev ever bear the regal star of their 
house. They disdain to work, and it is rather an effort 
even to show off. Hence we find but few of them in flow- 
er-gardens — in proportion to the immense size of the 
family. Still rarer are those that in any way claim an 
economic interest. There are a few good plants— lettuce, 
dandelion, chickor^', artichokes, etc. — but none of these 
are important. Arnica is used for wounds, but it is of 
doubtful importance. Compare this record w4th that of 
the rose, pea or grass families, the lilies orthe nightshades. 
Xo, Composit£e are travellers, wearing their insignia 
aiwa\'S and never ashamed. Often they plainly show 
their regal origin ; quite as often they disdain it, taking 
to highways, hedges and the strand for a living. 
TO THE TOP OF LONG MOUNTAIN. 
BY WALTER ALBION SQl'IRES. 
LOXG Mountain is a distant isolated spur of the Bitter 
Root Range. It lies along the western boundary of 
the Bitter Root Forest Reserve and is about twelve miles 
in length. Near its southern end it reaches its greatest 
altitude in two prominent wooded crests, which are 
probably something over five thousand feet in height. 
From these two peaks the surface of the country drops 
precipitately with steep and winding canyons and broken 
