On the dissemination of the Strawberry 



bySlugs. 



The Gardeners' Chronicle, London, Vol. 19, New Series Jan. to June. 1883, p. 823. 



Some years ago I put to myself the question, What biological signification 

 can be attributed to the fruit of the Strawberry? That the fragrant, pulpy 

 receptacle has to fulfil a function analogous to that of ether fleshy fruits, i. e., to 

 attract animals, in order to disseminate the seeds, may be, as we have learned 

 from Darwin, estubWshed è />rw/i. But what animals are concerned? Do birds eat 

 Strawberries, and do they discharge the seeds (it would be more botanically correct 

 to speak of akenes) without these having lost their germinating power? It is 

 possible, but not likely, for commonly the fruits of our wild Strawberry plants 

 are quite hidden among the high grass, and as they hang in a downward position 

 they are almost entirely covered by the large ten-leaved calyx, and consequently 

 hardly perceptible to birds flying overhead. \'ery often the fruits are so completely 

 concealed that for us, too, it is difficult to find them, and so it would seem that 

 Nature has tried even to conceal them from the eyes of birds. On the other 

 hand, it is clear that this method of growing in the immediate vicinity of the 

 ground is well calculated to attract snails and slugs, and that this is actually the 

 case is too well known. Accordingly the question arises, If Nature has not rendered 

 the dispersion of this plant dependent on these creatures. In order with some 

 certainty to be able to pronounce an opinion in this respect it must first be 

 decided whether the seeds of Strawberries do or do not lose their germinating 

 power after having passed through the body of snails and slugs. The following 

 experiment will give an answer to this question. To some specimens of the large 

 wood snail (Helix pomatia), nursed in a terrarium, for several successive days 

 no other food was given but the fruits of Strawberries. Soon the excrements 

 assumed an almost white colour, and consisted — as was proved by microscopical 

 examination — of the indigestible hairs growing on the surface, and the woody 

 fibres of the interior, together with the akenes, which could easily be detected 

 with the naked eye. After the substance had been softened by mixing it with 

 water the seeds were gathered from it and put into wet sand to germinate. After 

 the lapse of a few days the germs appeared, and within a short time I was in 

 possession of several healthy plants. The fact is thus proved that snails and slugs 

 do eat Strawberries, and that, after having passed through their body the seeds 

 retain their power of germination. It must be added that many of the akenes 

 after this treatment do not germinate, at which, however. no one will be surprised 



