THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 103 



thought on the part of nature to demonstrate her abihty to ac- 

 compHsh great things with small means and teach us economy. 

 — Philadelphia Record. 



THE NOVEMBER WOODS 



By Dr. W. W. Bailey. 



EACH season presents its own peculiar beauties. Novem- 

 ber, often regarded as cold and chill, the death time of 

 the year, has a special charm for those who love the woods. 

 While most of the leaves have fallen, and either He in sweet 

 smelling heaps by the pathway, or are driven in wild mazurkas 

 by the wind, a few wine-colored, tawny, bronze or amber 

 tinted still remain untouched. Oaks, for instance, are never 

 more picturesque than now as the light shines through their 

 persistent foliage. Again, the walker is very much impressed 

 by the yellow, or ochre or siena colors of many grasses. Those 

 along the salt marshes are particularly lovely while on sandy 

 upland banks one notes the feathery plumes of Andropogon. 



This leads us to speak of the varied means of distribution 

 which nature employs to scatter fruit and seed. The object 

 of such dispersion is to remove the young scholars, if we can 

 so call a seed, from the too direct and overshadowing home in- 

 fluence. A little observation during the season, only, goes to 

 show that wide distribution is not so much aimed at, as new 

 chances and improved environment. Thus if one watches the 

 aeronautic ventures of thistles or dandelion or milkweed he 

 will be surprised to find that many times the balloon or para- 

 chute is empty. The passenger has stopped in his own country 

 or, in other words, seed or fruit have become detached near 

 home. Of course, there are times in tempest or gale when 

 winged or plumose fruits and seeds are whirled to remote dis- 

 tances but it is not the rule. 



Another mode of dispersal is duly impressed at this sea- 

 son upon the pedestrian, who finds his clothes lined with burs 



