210 Our Field and Forest Trees 



little apart, so that the precious dust can slip down 

 between them to the ovule. 



After the breeze has brought the golden grains, 

 the carpels close over and pro- 

 t e c t the developing seed. 

 Those of the red cedars and 

 junipers become plump and 

 juicy, and grow together so as to form 

 a berry with the seeds inside. 



Those of the cone-bearing trees be- 

 come woody, and in many cases these 

 woody scales are glued together with resin, 

 so that the ripening seeds in- Fig. 57. Young cone o£ 



. ^ . the spruce. 



Side are m a measure pro- 

 tected from hungry beaks and prying paws. 



The ovule of the yew has no carpel, but after 

 the pollen grain has united with it a disk which 

 is around Its base begins to grow. By the end of 

 summer it forms a cup around the seed. In 

 autumn this cup becomes red and juicy, and holds 

 the dark seed In Its hollow. 



The birds find the cup good for food, but the 

 seed inside is poisonous. They know this, and so 

 after they have swallowed the sweet pulpy fruits 

 they spit out the seeds, and thus sow them broad- 

 cast. 



Junipers and red cedars also employ the birds 

 as sowers. When the seeds of these trees are ripe, 

 the globes enclosing them become blue, and show 

 prettily against the dull-green branches. When 



