46 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



times of the bursting of the flowering buds and the leafing buds 

 on the same species of tree or shrub. In many cases the former 

 are fully developed before the latter show any signs of active growth, 



or while the foHage is as yet only 

 passing through its earliest stages. 

 The Hazel catkins shed their abund- 

 ance of pollen before the fohage buds 

 show the slightest signs of green. The 

 Blackthorn is white with snowy 

 blossoms before a leaf appears. The 

 upper twigs of the Elm appear fluffy 

 in the distance through the formation 

 of its flowers while the fohage buds are 

 still dormant ; and the Alder, Willow, 

 Poplar and Aspen hkewise produce 

 full-blown catkins while their branches 

 are otherwise bare. Of the trees 

 above named, the Hazel, Elm, Alder, 

 Poplar, and Aspen are dependent on 

 the spring winds for the transfer of the 

 pollen, but the pollination of the 

 Willow and the Blackthorn is brought 

 about by the agency of early insects 

 which visit the flowers for the nectar 

 they provide. 



The same spring sun which calls 

 forth the new leaves and early flowers 

 exerts its vivifying influence on the 

 seeds that fell to the ground before 

 the winter's frosts set in, and in 

 sheltered places myriads of young 

 seedlings of plants and trees may be 

 found in their first stages of growth. 

 The early history of a plant is as in- 

 teresting a study as that of the 

 mature specimen, and the young botanist will do well if he 

 seeks out the germinating seeds and watches their development. 

 This part of botanical study may, perhaps, be carried on more 

 conveniently at home than in the field, for the seedlings may be 

 grown in soil, wet sawdust, or in water alone, and the stages 

 closely observed. 



SEEDLING OP THE BEECH, SHOW- 

 ING THE COTYLEDONS AND 

 THE FmST FOLIAGE LEAVES. 



