bounds out across the 

 floor. Of course all 

 these whims have a 

 very simple explana- 

 tion if we care to study 

 the matter philosoph- 

 ically. The cones gath- 

 ered in early winter are usu- 

 ally the most demonstrative, for 



their scales are generally intact and so closely glued to- 

 gether at the surface that they are not likely to yield 

 without something very like an explosion, especially in 

 the artificial warmth of the house. The outward ten- 

 sion of these scales during the process of drying is a 

 truly powerful force. When one of the scales becomes 

 detached while held in the hand, it produces a smart 

 stinging sensation, and when that springing scale chances 

 to be on the lower side of the cone, while the same is 

 at rest, the force is sufficient to produce a lively leap. 



In the case of the rolling cones and the silent speci- 

 men with the bed of seeds, it may be inferred that the 

 scales had been previously rent asunder tardy ripen- 

 ers of last autumn, perhaps, that failed to open suffi- 

 ciently to shed their seeds. The others were doubtless 



