SOME VARIETIES OF POLLEN. 205 



probable that it may ascend into the upper air or cloud 

 region, and be precipitated to the earth during heavy 

 -showers. 



It is a curious and, if needed, a convincing fact, that 

 this phenomenon is rarely, if ever, noticed now in the 

 ■cleared parts of the country. This may be attributed 

 to the great destruction of the pines, the forests in 

 many places being denuded almost to the extermina- 

 tion of these noble trees. The time, indeed, seems fast 

 -approaching when the pine tribe will disappear and 

 become a thing of the past only. 



While writing on the subject of the so-called "Sulphur 

 .Showers," I was much pleased and surprised by reading 

 ■a passage I met with quite unexpectedly in a volume of 

 that rare and interesting book, " Evelyn's Sylva." It is 

 so much to the purpose that I will transcribe it. The 

 writer observes : 



"The figure of each of the minute particles which 

 form so important a part in the economy of every plant 

 and tree, probably varies in shape in each tribe, even in 

 the various species. 



" To the unassisted eye we see only a fine yellow or 

 .grey dust that floats so lightly on the air that the least 

 breath of wind ruffling the branches moves it, and so 

 light and so plentiful is the supply that, if it chances to 

 rain during the flowering season of the pines, the stand- 

 ing waters near will be painted with yellow rings of 

 this dust from the trees." 



