i68 



CrIJMr'SKS INTO PLANT-LIFE 



properly to be calledj, one a stiff green spike 

 standing upright, and the other longer and of 

 yellowish colour, always to be found hanging 

 down. 



The former consists (jf a number of scales 

 arranged on a central stem, and in the axil of each 

 scale is the little pistil, with its pointed and divided 

 stigmas. This catkin, later on, becomes the fruit 

 of the tree, and sheds out with every passing breeze 



ao 



Xatuml Size 



Mai^ii ijicd. 



lUKCH FKl'IT. 



its little winged fruits, which are carried far and 

 wide and often sow themselves in rocky crevices, 

 and appear able to grow and flourish with only a 

 modicum of soil. 



The pendulous catkin is very soft and loose, and 

 on the inner surface of its scales we find the 

 stamens, which in due time will shed from their 

 anthers the fertilising pollen. Here then we see 

 flowers which are not so attractive to insects. 



