Spurges and Nettles 291 
of course, little of interest in the mechanism of these 
flowers, which are all of a simple character, small and 
green. The family, so far as the British represent- 
atives are concerned, includes the Elm, Stinging Nettle, 
Pellitory, and Hop. The Common Elm (Ulmus 
campestris), so frequent in our hedges and woods, is 
yet no native, though it has been established among 
us for many centuries. Its alien character may be 
guessed by the fact that it never produces seeds in this 
country, where it is propagated by suckers and layers. 
The Wych Elm (U. montana), on the other hand, is 
regarded as a true native. Both are tall trees, and 
live for about five centuries. The flowers are very 
small, but as they are produced in bunches in early 
spring they are by no means inconspicuous. They 
consist of a purplish-brown or reddish perianth, bell- 
shaped, with five or more lobes and a similar number 
of purple stamens extending far beyond the bell, and 
giving to the whole cluster a tassel-like appearance. 
In the centre of the stamens is the ovary, with two 
awl-shaped styles, spread out to catch the pollen as 
the wind blows it from the anthers. It will be 
evident that for the mere pollination of these styles so 
many anthers are not needed, but the object of this 
wholesale production of pollen is to afford the chance 
of some being carried from tree to tree, to effect a true 
cross, not merely between flowers on different branches 
but on separate trees. The flowers are succeeded by 
seed-vessels of a peculiar form, known as samaras: 
the ovary develops a wing on each side of the solitary 
seed, and these wings meet above and below, becom- 
ing of a thin, dry, parchmenty character. When the 
seeds are ripe and the winds blow, these samaras are 
