Iq6 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



the current of the ftream is defigned to convey 

 them from place to place. 



The feeds of the fir, and of the birch, have, at 

 once, volatile and nautical characters ; for the fir 

 has it's kernel attached to a membranous wing; 

 and the birch has it's grain embraced by two 

 wings, which give it the appearance of a little ïhell. 

 Thefe trees grow, at once, on the wintry moun- 

 tains, and on the margin of the lakes of the 

 North; their feeds had occafion not only to fail 

 over flagnant waters, but to be tranfported through 

 the air over the fnovvs, in the midft of which they 

 take delight. I have no doubt that there may be 

 fpecies of thefe trees, the feeds of which are alto- 

 gether nautical. Thofe of the linden-tree are car- 

 ried in a fpherical body, fimilar to a little bullet. 

 This bullet is affixed to a long tail, from the ex- 

 tremity of which defcends obliquely a follicle of 

 confiderable length, whereby the wind carries it 

 away to a great diftance, fpinning it round and 

 round. When it drops into the water, it plunges 

 about the length of an inch in it, and ferves, in 

 fome fort, as ballaft to it's tail, and to the little 

 leaf attached to it, which thus, being brought to a 

 vertical fituation, perform the functions of a maft 

 and a fail. But the examination of fo many cu- 

 rious varieties would carry me too far. 



This 



