SEED-MASS ETC. OF HELLEBORUS FŒTIDUS. 453. 
I cannot, therefore, avoid the conclusion that the claim of Helleborus 
fœtidus to myrmecochory is hardly a valid one *. 
FINAL REMARKS. 
There are a few additional points of interest in the general subject of 
Myrmecochory and in the natural history of the Hellebore that came before 
me during this investigation. 
For example, the seeds of this species, like those of Viola odorata, lie over 
the winter ; and I have some evidence that, for the latter, those seeds whose 
earuncle has been removed or lacerated are at an advantage compared with 
those upon which it is left intact. They germinate earlier, which no doubt is 
not always desirable, but they also produce more vigorous plants, especially 
as regards the root-system, upon which the seedling depends for food- 
materials after the cotyledons have expanded. I have therefore sowed 
some of my snail-stripped Hellebore seeds in a separate pot, to compare the 
results, when the time comes round, with others from which the bait has not 
been removed. 
Again, it appears that with the Daisy (Bellis perennis) the achenes carried 
into the nest are lost to the species unless they be subsequently ejected, while 
those that are dropped or abandoned atter the elaiosome has been nibbled are 
the lueky опез. I have therefore left the eround undisturbed where I saw 
the masses carried in by my two species of ant, in the hopes of interesting 
developments next spring; for one must remember that, whereas the 
cotyledons of the Daisy seedling lie practically on the ground, those; of 
the Helleborus fwtidus have a hypocotyl fully an inch in length, and may 
therefore be expected to work their way through a considerably greater 
depth of soil. I am not, however, at all sanguine : for ants burrow to. 
a much greater depth than an inch, and, if one can judge by the very small 
percentage of seeds that germinate with me, I am aíraid that they ripen 
imperfectly. In my borders also the snails eat the seedlings greedily ; so 
that the species is hard put to it to hold its own against its many dis- 
advantages, and the observer, to satisfy his curiosity, must possess his 
soul in patience. 
I hoped to throw some little light upon the meaning of the mass—upon 
the question why the seeds are thus bound together; but I cannot feel that 
I have done anything of the kind. 
Should anyone suggest that the cohesion 1s an adaptation to the dis-. 
* € Not proven " is, I feel sure, the fairest verdict that one can return so far, for, until 
the meaning of the mass is fully understood, the claim cannot be said to be disproved. But 
dispersal is such a very difficult and complicated question, and one that is so full of 
surprises, that this species may perhaps be retained in the group with advantage for the 
present, pending further research and under very grave suspicion. 
