PLANTS THAT ARE ATHLETES 81 



branches of the witch-hazel and keep them in a vase 

 for a few days. 



There are many skilled aeronauts among the 

 plant athletes. They have been working and ex- 

 perimenting for ages in perfecting their magnifi- 

 cent airships. So skilled are they and so far ad- 

 vanced in the art of flying, that their balloons, kites, 

 parachutes, and airships are being studied and imi- 

 tated by man. These unique airships are designed 

 with marvellous skill. Among the dandelions, 

 goldenrods, asters, and thistles, are, perhaps, the 

 most perfectly devised airships. When the tiny 

 seeds of these plants are ready to go out into the 

 world, each has a ship of its own by means of which 

 it may navigate the air. 



The fruits of the maple, elm, pine, and ash are 

 prepared for sailing from high elevations the 

 tree-tops. They do not, as a usual thing, travel 

 for very long distances, but are apt to light fairly 

 near the parent tree. Thus these trees are quite 

 often found in large groups, like the pine forests. 

 The fruit of the elm is placed in the centre of its 

 airship, and as it floats to the ground it seems to 

 hesitate before alighting, like a butterfly, or an in- 

 sect-hunting sparrow, as though it were trying to 

 decide if this were a choice spot for landing. 



There are certain airship plants, like the bladder- 



