of a 



extension but upon the breaking off of roots or 

 twigs by various agencies; these pieces of roots 

 or twigs often are carried miles by streams, and 

 take root perhaps at the first place where they 

 go around. 



The seeds of the sycamore are in balls attached 

 to the limbs by a slender twiglet. The winter 

 winds beat and thump these balls against the 

 limbs, thus causing the seeds to loosen and to 

 drop a few at a time to the earth. Each seed is a 

 light little pencil which at one end is equipped 

 with a whorl of hairs, a parachute which 

 delays its fall and thus enables the wind to carry 

 it away from the parent tree. 



The conifers the pines, firs, and spruces 

 have ingeniously devised and developed their 

 winged seeds for wind distribution. Most of 

 these seeds are light, and each is attached to a 

 dainty feather or wing which is used on its com- 

 mencement day. These wings are as handsome 

 as insects' wings, dainty enough for fairies; they 

 are purple, plain brown, and spotted, and so 

 balanced that they revolve or whirl, glinting in 

 the autumn sun as they go on their adventurous 



297 



