THE OUTDOOR WORLD. 



2?8 



that I am surrounded by primal riches- 

 fruit, fruit, above and around, but not 

 a bit to eat. One feels young again, 

 and toys with the pods as he did with 

 the trinkets of the Christmas trees in 

 years long gone by. Nature does de- 

 corate solely for the sake of the decora- 

 tion ; I am sure of that ; but whether or 

 not with a more utilitarian purpose as 

 well, I leave to the decision of the phil- 

 osophers. It is enough for me not to 

 "reason why" but to appreciate and 

 value the fact. 



When the seeds are ripe they break 

 loose within the inflated membrane, and 

 rattle in a fascinating way when the dry 

 pod is shaken. The seeds are brown and 

 glossy. The books claim that those of 

 a European species are often strung to- 

 gether like beads, and used as a rosary. 

 Not the least interesting is the peculiar 

 membraneous structure of the pod. 



THE PECULIAR, MEMBRANEOUS STRUCTURE. 



THE POOS ON THE SHRUB IN EARLY AUTUMN. 



