298 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 
It has been laid away in the prothallus, whose cells 
are packed full of food for its nursling—albumen, 
starches, and fats. 
And now the seed which has been so well 
guarded and nourished during its immaturity is to 
be sent out to get its own living. The red cedars, 
junipers, and yews employ the birds as sowers. 
When the cedar- and juniper-seeds are ripe the suc- 
culent globes which enclose them become purple, 
and show vividly against the sombre green of the 
boughs. At the season when there is little pro- 
vender in the snow-clad fields these pretty berries 
tempt the birds, which devour them, and scatter 
their seeds broadcast. The fleshy cup which has 
grown up about the yew-seed becomes juicy and 
soft and turns bright-red. But though this cup is 
‘“pleasant to the eye and good for food,’’ from 
a bird’s point of view, the seed contained in it is 
poisonous. Instinct warns the birds of this, and 
after they have devoured the juicy cups they spit 
up the seeds, perhaps in a place far from the tree 
whence they were gathered. 
The other cone bearers (with the exception of 
the ‘‘ bald’’-cypress) send their offspring away by 
their tried old messenger, the wind. The ripe 
seeds are winged, and when they are ready to 
