THE SYCAMORE. 



Ill 



" Nor unnoticed pass 

 The Sj'camore, capricious in attire ; 

 Xow green, now tawny, and ere autumn yet 

 Has changed the woods, in scarlet honours bright." 



Co^VPER. 



Each of the two or three seed-vessels which suc- 

 ceed every flower is furnished with a membranous 

 diverging wing^ and it is owing to the presence of 



this that so many young plants may be discovered 

 in the spring at a considerable distance from the 

 parent tree. AVhen they have acquired their full 

 size, which is early in autumn, they form clusters 

 sufficiently large and conspicuous to alter the pic- 

 torial character of the tree. They do not fall off 

 when ripe like acorns, chestnuts, and other heavy 

 seeds, but remain attached to the branches till the 

 equinoctial gales set in, which serve the double 

 purpose of separating them from the stalks and 

 carrying them to some convenient place of growth. 

 If, however, from growing in a sheltered spot, or 

 from any other cause, they still retain their posi- 

 tion, an event which frequently occurs, the seed- 

 stalk rots from the effects of the winter's rain ; and 

 the \dolent winds which accompany the succeeding 

 vernal equinox do not fail to deposit the majority 

 of the seeds in a place well adapted for their 

 growth, in full time to receive all the advantages 

 of the genial season which follows. The seed itself 



