美國語文第五冊 第252期：種子的傳播與種植（01）
In all the pines a very thin membrane, in appearance much like an insect’s wing, grows over and around the seed,
松樹種子通常長有一層薄膜，形狀酷似昆蟲翅膀，獨立的薄膜裹住并庇護種子生長，
and independent of it, while the latter is being developed within its base.
使種子得以在根基部孕育；
In other words, a beautiful thin sack is woven around the seed, with a handle to it such as the wind can take hold of,
換句話說，就像把種子裹護在漂亮細薄的網(wǎng)袋里，讓風(fēng)擎住從網(wǎng)袋里長出的一個小小把手，把種子命運交與風(fēng)來主宰。
and it is then committed to the wind, expressly that it may transport the seed and extend the range of the species;
未來的風(fēng)兒就可裹帶種子翱翔，為植物種群繁衍開拓疆土。
and this it does as effectually as when seeds are sent by mail, in a different kind of sack, from the patent office.
與專利局袋裝郵寄包裹相比，種子職能卓有成效，毫不遜色。
There is, then, no necessity for supposing that the pines have sprung up from nothing,
由此看來，人們完全毫無必要認定，松樹憑空便可萌發(fā)成林；
and I am aware that I am not at all peculiar in asserting that they come from seeds,
我相信，樹木乃種子孕育而生，這一觀點，絕非只是為我個人的玄思冥想，
though the mode of their propagation by Nature has been but little attended to.
當(dāng)然，大自然傳播繁衍種子的方式向來鮮人關(guān)注。
They are very extensively raised from the seed in Europe, and are beginning to be here.
北美大多樹種來自歐洲，并逐漸開始在此繁衍生息。
When you cut down an oak wood, a pine wood will not at once spring up there
當(dāng)你砍斫一片橡樹林，北美油松林幾乎不可能很快繼之而起，
unless there are, or have been quite recently, seed-bearing pines near enough for the seeds to be blown from them.
除非原先就已成林，或已具相當(dāng)規(guī)模，并且砍伐地帶不遠處還應(yīng)長有結(jié)籽的松樹，種子才有可能吹來萌發(fā)。
But, adjacent to a forest of pines, if you prevent other crops from growing there,
不過，就松林周邊而言，萬一土壤適宜，
you will surely have an extension of your pine forest, provided the soil is suitable.
同時確保其他作物無法生長，你也勢必將會擁有一片擴展的松林。
