118 TRANSACTIONS. NATURAL HISTORY .SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



state of nature this is apparently the relation subsist- 

 ing between the grasses and the larger ruminants. 



Appendages by which seeds or fruits can fasten 

 themselves to animals occur in the following genera, 

 which we select from the list given by Hilde- 

 brand, viz. : Galium, Myosotis, Cynoglossum, Asperiigo, 

 Echinosperintitn, Solenanthus, Hedynarum, Desmodium, 

 Trixiinfetta, Echinella, Bunias, Succoivia, Sanicula, 

 Daucus, Orlaya, Caticalis, Torilis, CirccBa, Sicyos, 

 Caletidida, Kcelpinia, Pedal kun, Pavonia, Malvastrum, 

 Harpagophytum, Martynia, Uncaria, Villarsia, Geuin, 

 Agrimonia, Polygonum, Gravim.ocarpus, (Enanthe, 

 Ceratophylluni, Stylosanfhes, Trago'ceros, Ancistrum, 

 Bidens, 2'olpis, Heterospermum, Verbesina, Accena, 

 Emex, Valerianella, Trapa, Rhagadiolus, Micropus, 

 Aldama, Centrospermum, Lappa, Xanthium, etc. 

 Plants of the Tremandraceae, a small Australian 

 order, are distinguished by the presence of hooks on 

 their seeds. But the most remarkable example of 

 this class is undoubtedly the grapple-plant, Harpa- 

 gophytum. The fruit of H. pi'ocumhens has upwards 

 of a dozen stout flattened spines projecting an inch 

 or two from its surface. Each spine terminates in a 

 grapple-like arrangement of strong recurved hooks, 

 while its sharp edges are also furnished wdth hooks. 

 The late Dr. Livingstone, who observed this fruit in 

 Africa, says its sharp spines will cut the strongest 

 leather. These formidable fruits are accredited with 

 causing the death of the lion. Should one of them 

 adhere to its skin, and the lion attempt to disengage 

 it, the fruit is almost certain to be transferred to 

 the lion's mouth. The wounds there inflicted by the 

 sharp spines drive the animal frantic, but every 

 effort to get rid of the incumbrance is vain, and 

 only results in the infliction of fresh wounds, until 

 ultimately the animal succumbs to the torture. 



Another curious case is Martynia proboscidea. This 

 fruit, as figured by Lubbock, is about three inches 

 long and resembles a pea-pod. It terminates in two 

 long slender curved prongs exceeding the fruit 



