DRY FRUITS 



Another group of dry fruits possess membra- 

 nous attachments of various forms whose use is 

 to buoy them up, at least long enough to get 

 away from the parent shade. Well known of 

 these are the double keys of the Maple, the single 

 keys of the Ashes, the samaras of the Elms and 

 Birches, and the winged seeds of the Tulip Tree 

 and the Catalpa. Whenever a seed is found on 

 tree or herb, in a pod or capsule of any kind 

 with a thin membranous attachment, it means 

 that somehow the wind must carry it — a few 

 feet or inches from the parent plant. 



Among others are the Riders, a gallant group, 

 that cling to their steeds through thick and thin, 

 and are prepared to cope successfully with man 

 or beast who comes their way. Two well-known 

 families fittingly represent the whole: Bidens, 

 known as Beggar-Ticks, Spanish Needles, having 

 flat seeds armed with two or more barbed points; 

 and Desmodium, or Tick-Trefoil, possessed of a 

 clinging pod that breaks into pieces rather than 

 let go its grip. With these are the Burdocks 

 and Cockleburs — all efficient and all unpleasant. 



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