128 LEAVES FROM THE BOOK OF NATURE. 



wither, fold their leaves together, and draw up their roots, 

 so as to form a light, little ball. In this form they are 

 driven hither and thither on the wings of the wind, rolling 

 along the plains in spirit-like dance, now whirling in great 

 circles about, now caught by an eddy and rising suddenly 

 high into the air. It is not until they reach a moist 

 place that they care to rest a while, but then they settle 

 down at once, send down their roots, unfold their leaves, 

 assume a bright green, and become quiet, useful citizens 

 in their own great kingdom of plants. 



There are, however, thousands of plants having neither 

 servants nor wings to gratify their wishes, who seem con- 

 demned to see their offspring die at their feet. But here 

 again we see how the resources of nature are always far 

 superior to the apparent difficulty. These very seeds which 

 seemed so hopelessly lost, often travel fastest of all ; they 

 travel on the wings of birds. The latter steal our fruit, 

 our cherries and grapes ; they carry them off to some con- 

 venient place, eat the pulpy part, and drop the stone or 

 the seed where it is most likely to find a genial soil and 

 a sheltered home. Even their evil propensities must thus 

 serve the purposes of nature. Jays and pies, it is well 

 known, are fond of hiding grains and acorns., among grass 

 or moss and in the ground, and then, poor things, forget 

 the hiding place, and lose all their treasure. Squirrels, 

 also, marmots and mice bury nuts under ground, and often 

 so deep that neither light nor warmth can reach the hid- 

 den store. But then comes man, and cuts down the pine- 

 wood, and lo ! to the astonishment of all, a young coppice 

 of oaks shoots up, and the wonder is, where all the acorns 



