1 78 IRambles witb IRature Students 



flower-pot he planted it in his hat, where he kept and 

 tended it. The voyage was stormy and tedious, 

 so that the supply of fresh water fell short, and only 

 half a glass a day could be spared for each traveller. 

 The little tree was allowed its share of even this 

 scanty allowance, and although the traveller suffered 

 from his self-denial, the little tree flourished, and 

 had attained the height of six inches when the 

 vessel arrived in port. 



At the custom-house the officers thought the hat 

 must surely contain some valuables on which duty 

 ought to be paid, and it needed much earnest 

 pleading on the part of the traveller to induce 

 them to spare the cherished seedling. 



Eventually it was allowed to pass through 

 unharmed. It was then taken to Paris, and found 

 a place in the Jardin des Plantes. In the course of 

 years it grew into a noble tree. It lived on for over 

 a century, until, sad to relate, the beautiful tree had to 

 be cut down to make way for a railroad. 



It would be quite possible to grow our own cedars 

 with the exercise of patience. A seed I planted out 

 of a cone from Lebanon remained dormant for twelve 

 months in the earth before the young plant made 

 its appearance. Probably if the seeds were soaked 

 in water for a few days before they are planted, it 

 might tend to hasten the process of germination. 



THE LIBERATION OF SEEDS 



The capsules of the cyclamen are now opening ; 

 they are curiously spotted inside, and look like small 

 brown flowers. The twisted stem is coiled around 



