22 :6otan\j 



leaves are covered so thickly with hairs that they 

 resemble leaves cut out of coarse flannel or felt. 

 Every part of the mullein plant, except the petals, 

 stamens, and pistils is hairy. It is a very Esau 

 among plants ; nothing but a donkey would graze 

 upon it. Exactly why a 2:)lant of so little value and 

 attractiveness as the mullein should be so carefully 

 defended, we cannot see ; the fairer sisters of its kin 

 are left almost naked to cold winds and nipping 

 teeth. 



The hairs on the mullein plant may serve to make 

 it unpalatable, but their primary use is probably as 

 clothing for j^reserving an equal temperature and 

 shielding the plant from cold and wet. Very many 

 Alpine and far-northern plants are so protected. 

 Another instance of hairs as clothing is afforded us 

 this January day if we examine the tree buds. 

 Some of them, it is true, seem to be very carelessly 

 clad. They are of the hardier varieties. Some buds 

 are waxed or varnished, but very many are hair-clad, 

 fur-wrapped, nature thus dressing her precious babies 

 for their winter outing. 



Many seed pods are lined with a delicate network 

 of hairs, which are especially numerous and closely- 

 woven at the suture or seam of the pod, where it 

 will open when the seeds are ripe. 



Here in the fields we find some lingering pods of 



