flfearcb 



55 



petals and calyx leaves remain 

 like a pointed roof defending the 

 seed from rain. Now the stalk 

 bends down until it lies flat upon 

 the ground, where it remains about 

 twelve days. By that time the 

 seeds are matured, and the stalk 

 again rises to an upright position. 

 The calyx leaves now turn back 

 until they are parallel with the 

 stem, and the beautiful downy 

 globe is formed and expands 

 until it is a fluffy ball of seeds, 

 hanging so loosely that the 

 lightest breeze can waft them 

 into the air. 



The seed itself is worth ex- 

 amination. When, after a longer 

 or shorter flight, a seed touches 

 the ground and falls into some 

 crevice, it might still be dragged 

 out by the wind and carried 

 away ; but this is guarded 

 against by some spiny pro- 

 jections on the upper part of 

 the seed, which tend to hold 

 it securely in its place. 



THE NUTHATCH (Sitta Europaa) 



The nuts we throw out at the windows for the 

 squirrels are frequently shared by the nuthatches. 

 These pretty birds abound in my old garden, and in 

 the course of years they have become so extremely 

 tame that they will almost take nuts out of our hands. 



DANDELION LEAF. 



