AUTUMN 



tick-trefoils, the bristly fruit of avens and goose- 

 grass, and the prickly heads of the burdock. In Barbs and 

 the thicket the birds are already stripping the 

 dog-woods of their red, blue, and lead-colored ber- 

 ries, either releasing the seeds upon the spot or 

 carrying them to some other and, perhaps, more 

 hospitable neighborhood ; while the coral beads 

 of the beautiful black alder, the red or purple 

 sprays of the viburnums, the bright haws of the Berries 

 white-thorn, the scarlet pennants which stream 

 from the barberry bushes, and the half-hidden 

 berries of the partridge-vine, tempt them to a 

 feast which will prove as advantageous to host 

 as to guest. 



If the seeds are not trapped out in a fashion 

 which renders them attractive to animals their 

 transportation generally is provided in some 

 other manner. Notice how the great pasture- 

 thistle is slowly swelling into a silvery cushion Silky sails 

 which a few brisk winds will disintegrate. Watch 

 the pods of the milkweed crack open, revealing 

 symmetrical packs (the beloved " fishes " of child- 

 hood) of golden-brown seeds, to each one of which 

 is tacked a silky sail which finally unfurls and 

 floats away with its burden. Go down to the 

 brook and finger lightly the pod of the jewel- Jewel-weed 

 weed, or touch-me-not. You will become so fas- 

 cinated with the ingenious mechanism which 



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