DUCK-SHOOTING. 225 



waving in the wind, were the cup-like pods that 

 contain the seeds. 



When the pods first form the seeds are entirely 

 hidden from view, but as they increase in size, holes 

 form in the covering, through which they peep as 

 through a window. The seeds and pod are originally 

 green, but darken and turn blue, and then brown, 

 as the season advances ; and the holes, which begin 

 by being small, become larger till they open suffi- 

 ciently for the seeds to fall out. The seeds or ber- 

 ries are elliptical in shape and of almost the size of 

 a chestnut ; in the green state they are soft, and can 

 be readily cut with a knife ; but when ripe and black, 

 they are as hard as stone, and will turn the edge of 

 a knife like agate. 



When about half ripe, or bluish in color, they are 

 good to eat, and after the removal of a little green 

 sprout hidden in the centre, are sweet, tasting much 

 the same as a chestnut. As they ripen and their 

 covering recedes, their stems hold them upright ; 

 but the first heavy frost breaks down the stems, and 

 lets the seed fall out into the water, where, they lie 

 till next year. 



The working of nature is wonderful, as no one 

 observes more frequently than the sportsman ; all 

 this care is taken to preserve the seeds for their ap- 

 pointed work. If they were permitted to fall out 

 when green or even half ripe, the action of the water 

 would soften and destroy them ; extreme hardness 

 is necessary to resist its action for so long a time ; 

 while, on the other hand, if they were retained 

 10* 



