246 DR. E. p. PHILLIPS 



meter is blown about by the wind and scatters the seeds 

 as it travels along. In CardiospcDiium luilicacahum, the 

 septa of the fruit remain attached to the seed and form 

 a large wind. (PL II. fig 1.) 



2. Distribution by Water. 



South Africa does not possess a very large aquatic 

 flora and the two best examples of water distributed 

 fruits are those of Nymphaea stellata (the Blue Water 

 Lily) and Aponogeton distachyon (Water uintje). In 

 the former the seeds are hard with a black shiny coat; 

 inside is a small cavity filled with air which makes 

 the seeds buoyant. When germination takes place the 

 seed sinks to the bottom of the pond or vlei and takes 

 root. In the "water unitje" the seeds are enclosed in 

 a membranous capsule and when the capsule bursts the 

 seeds which have an oily coat float on the surface of the 

 water. The seed eventually escapes from this oily coat, 

 sinks to the bottom of the pond, and there germinates. 



3. Distribution by Animals. 



Animals act as the agents for the dispersal of fruits 

 and seeds in two ways (a) they use the seeds or fruits 

 as food and any which have survived the passage through 

 the alimentary canal may subsequently germinate or (b) 

 they carry the fruits or seeds on some part of their body. 

 This latter is an accidental process. 



Seeds distributed by birds have usually succulent juicy 

 and coloured fruits and to prevent the bird taking the 

 fruit before it is fully ripe, the still unripe fruit is 

 hidden among tlie leaves, has a green colour and is 

 destitute of scent. On ripening the fruits are exposed, 

 usually bcome coloured and emit a strong scent. In some 

 succulent fruits such as our native species of Viscum 

 (Mistletoe) and Loranthus which live as parasites on 



