these plants break oS at the ground and are blown long distances by the 

 wind, scattering their seeds as they go. The seeds are much like those of 

 the Red root Pigweed, and although averaging rather smaller, about ^r 

 of an inch, cannot always be distinguished from them when found among 

 other crop seeds. 



Spreading Amaranth, Amarantus hlitoides, Watson. This species re- 

 sembles the Tumble Weed very much, but has rather larger rounder leaven 

 and prostrate diffusely branching rather fleshy stems, which form large mats 

 attached by the central root. This is a native annual plant of the western 

 prairies, but is frequent along railways in the East, and the seeds are often 

 found in alfalfa, clover and grass seeds from the Western States. The seeds 

 can be easily distinguished from those of the Tumble Weed by their large 

 size, jV of an inch, which is nearly twice that of the other specie«. 

 Unless closely examined, the seeds of the Amaranths may sometimes be con- 

 fused with rubbed seeds of the Lamb's-quarters. The surface of the former, 

 however, is always more highly polished and smoother. The character of the 

 scar will be found the easiest point for distinguishing them, being a central 

 point with a long groove on one side in the Chenopods, and a notch in the 

 margin in the Amaranths. The seeds of the Lamb's-quarters and of the Red- 

 root Pigweed are small and of about the same size ; those of the Maple-leaved 

 Goosefoot and of the Spreading Amaranth are both nearly twice as big and 

 compare with each other in a similar manner. 



81 

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