The wild carrot (Fig. [263]) is one of our commonest wayside weeds, a torment to the farmer, but a beautiful plant nevertheless. Each one of its lace-like flower clusters is made up of many flowers,—flowers which are too small to live alone, and so have decided to keep house together.
You will notice that here, as with the hobblebush, the outer flowers are large and more showy than the inner ones. They seem to feel that with them rests the reputation of the family; that they must make the most of themselves, and do all in their power to attract the bees and butterflies.
The wild carrot belongs to the Parsley family. All the members of this family collect a great many little flowers into one fairly large cluster.
AN OLD FRIEND
There is one plant (Fig. [264]) which you city children ought to know almost as well as the country children. In the back yards and in the little squares of grass which front the street, it sends up its shining stars; and as for the parks, they look as if some generous fairy had scattered gold coins all over their green lawns.
Fig. 264
Now, what is this flower which is not too shy to bring its brightness and beauty into the very heart of the crowded city?
It is the dandelion, of course. You all know, or ought to know, this plucky little plant, which holds up its smiling face wherever it gets a chance.