106 IN THE ACADIAN LAND. 



like domes of Eastern temples in a picture 

 landscape. 



In these early sunny days of the month the 

 atmosphere is perfect, the light is softened and 

 tempered by the tints and colors of ripened 

 foliage. Thistles and milkweeds have sent 

 their winged seeds on the friendly winds to be 

 sown far and wide, to improve their chances 

 for life ; and now, looking into the sunbeam, 

 one sees these silken voyagers loitering and 

 playing with the zephyrs, till the dew-damp air 

 saturates their wings and they come to earth, 

 perchance to germ and grow, perchance to 

 perish. 



Amid all this autumn ripeness here is our 

 witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginianus, tricked out 

 in the bravery of yellow flowers, growing on 

 the same branches with the nut-like seeds and 

 fading leaves. I think this curiosity is gen- 

 erally unobserved. The blossom is rather a 

 curious or exceptional make-up, but it is pretty 

 in color and dainty in structure. A calyx or 

 cup notched on the rim holds a tiny boquet of 

 four strap-shaped petals, and eight stamens, and 

 two styles. 



This late display of blossoms is only getting 

 ready for an early start in the spring. Then all 

 the seed will be set, and may proceed to grow 



