gfttt of 0* 



tree, settling rapidly toward the earth with 

 heavy end downward, whirling round and round 

 as it falls. Red maple seeds ripen in June, but 

 not until autumn does the hard maple send its 

 winged ones forth from amid the painted leaves. 



The seed of an ash tree is like a dart. In the 

 different ashes these are of different lengths, but 

 all have two-edged wings which in calm weather 

 dart the seed to the snowy earth ; but in a lively 

 wind they are tumbled and whirled about while 

 being unceremoniously carried afar; this they do 

 not mind, for at the first lull they right them- 

 selves and drop in good form to the earth. 



Cottonwoods and willows send forth their 

 seeds inclosed in a dainty puff or ball of silky 

 cotton that is so light that the wind often car- 

 ries it long distances. With the willow this de- 

 vice is so airy and dainty that it is easily en- 

 tangled on twigs or grass and may never reach 

 the earth. The willow seed, too, is so feeble that 

 it will often perish inside twenty-four hours if 

 it does not find a most favorable germinating- 

 place. This makes but little difference to the 

 willows, for they do not depend upon seeds for 



296 



