so 



by the prevailing fall niid winttT winds. Tims it is jirohable that tlie dissemina- 

 tion of even ligiit afj^endaged seeds is not always as hap-hazard as is sometimes 

 snp{iosed. 



Tile appendages and lightness, or minnteness of many seeds, is eommonly 

 thought to have relation only to a wide distribution of the species. But the 

 fharacter also has relation to habitat. Some such plants, as the eat-tail flag, 

 Ti/p/in I ififolia, grow only in particular places. Their habitat, as it were, is di- 

 vided uj) into small portions and scattered all over the country. Their downy 

 seeds are necessary mainly on this account. The seeds of such plants are scattered 

 far and wide, floating away on the lightest breeze. Only those grow that find 

 proper homes. This is true of the appendaged seeds of some trees, which grow 

 mainly in certain situations, as in the case of those confined chiefly to water 

 courses. Streams are supposed to carry such seeds and be the main agents in 

 their distribution. This is said to be the case with most of the forest trees of In- 

 diana. The writer believes, however, tiiat the reason so many trees are found 

 along water courses, is not because the streams have borne the seeds along, but 

 because the seed germinate better in the fertile and waste conditions found along 

 their borders. Many such trees have winged or downy seeds and are carried far 

 at-ross extensive regions. Many, and most of the seed fall over the dry belts be- 

 tween streams, but not finding the suitable conditions, never germinate. Those, 

 however, that lodge along the streams, spring up. 



The im])ortance of winds as factors in plant distribution, and the truth of 

 some of the statements already made, will be rendei'ed clearer, however, by an 

 account of some observations whicii the writer has made in relation to the in- 

 fluence of winds in scattering the fruits of the Liintiddmher and (ik'ditscliia trla- 



r(ll}tli<)ft. 



It is now twelve years since first the writer noticed near New Albany, lud., 

 an old gum tree standing alone on a slight elevat on in an old neglected field. 

 The tree was an old one, with a trunk some 24 inches in diameter, but owing to 

 its exposure, and the poverty of the soil, its crown hail not penetrated farther 

 heavenward than 40 feet; nor was the expanseof soil shaded by its branches above 

 30 feet ill diameter. While making a list of the plants growing under and about 

 the tree, it occurred to notice wliat became of the tree's own balls and seeds. The 

 seeding gums springing up here and there around their parent then began to re- 

 ceive attention. 



It was noticed that while seedlings of various ages grew in all direction.s 

 around the old tree, they extended farther to the northeast than in other direc- 

 tions. Measurements followed. To the west and south oO feet covered the 



