XI 



THE BASSWOODS OB LINDENS 



There is no more interesting tree than the 

 basswood or American linden. In the chapter 

 on "Blossom- time," we considered its profusion 

 of bloom and the attraction its wondrous honey 

 dew has for the bees. Let us now take a peep 

 at the foliage. It seems to be made up of two 

 distinct shades of green: the dark green of its 

 heart-shaped leaves, and the glimmering light 

 apple-green of its curious bracts. These bracts 

 are merely modified leaves, or leaf-blades, long 

 and slender, fashioned for the purpose of hold- 

 ing the flower clusters. 



Later the place of the dainty little blossoms 

 is taken by downy little balls of fruit. They 

 are joined on a single stem which grows out of 

 the middle of the bract, or leaf-blade. All the 

 latter part of the summer they nod and sway, 

 dancing gayly in the breeze. Then presently 

 the bracts begin to lose their color and to as- 

 sume a scale-like, wingy character. By and by 

 they let go their hold upon the tree and act as a 



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