3o8 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



Fig. 133. "Pitchforks"' or "Spanish Needles" in flower 

 see fig, 39 on page 69 for fruit. 



water, times in- 

 numerable, tliru 

 past centuries : 

 and we know that 

 nature maintains 

 in the brook only 

 such plants and 

 animals as are 

 ca])able, in one 

 way or another, 

 of meeting the exigencies of such times as this. 



If the aquatic plants have disappeared, and the aquatic 

 animals also, sa\'e for a few that may be discovered hiding 

 under trash in the moister places, there wdll be found plenty 

 of semi-aquatic brookside things still remaining. There 

 ^^'ill be weeds of many sorts, overhanging and brushing 

 against us as we pass up the chamicl; willow-herbs and 

 pitch-forks (fig. 133) in the sun, and rich weed (fig. 134) in 

 the sliady places. Then there will be coarse and straggling 



Richweed {Pilea puniila). 



