298 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 



It has been laid away in the prothallus, whose cells 

 are packed full of food for its nursling albumen, 

 starches, and fats. 



And now the seed which has been so well 

 guarded and nourished during its immaturity is to 

 be sent out to get its own living. The red cedars, 

 junipers, and yews employ the birds as sowers. 

 When the cedar- and juniper-seeds are ripe the suc- 

 culent globes which enclose them become purple, 

 and show vividly against the sombre green of the 

 boughs. At the season when there is little pro- 

 vender in the snow-clad fields these pretty berries 

 tempt the birds, which devour them, and scatter 

 their seeds broadcast. The fleshy cup which has 

 grown up about the yew-seed becomes juicy and 

 soft and turns bright-red. But though this cup is 

 " pleasant to the eye and good for food," from 

 a bird's point of view, the seed contained in it is 

 poisonous. Instinct warns the birds of this, and 

 after they have devoured the juicy cups they spit 

 up the seeds, perhaps in a place far from the tree 

 whence they were gathered. 



The other cone-bearers (with the exception of 

 the " bald "-cypress) send their offspring away by 

 their tried old messenger, the wind. The ripe 

 seeds are winged, and when they are ready to 



