1890-91-] Plant Multiplication. 419 



burying the capsule in the ground. The broom [Sarotliamnus 

 scoparms) and whin ( Ulcx ciiropccus) have their seeds projected 

 from the parent by the sudden bursting and spring-like twist- 

 ing of the valves of the pod. The squirting cucumber becomes 

 distended with mucus, and when ripe expels the seeds 

 through the aperture where the stalk was inserted with 

 amazing force. In some species of balsam the capsule bursts 

 elastically, and throws the seeds from three to four feet. The 

 common wood-sorrel {Oxalis acetosdla) scatters its seeds in a 

 similar way. 



All our native geraniums have their seed-vessels pointed 

 and clothed with short hairs : if the capsule falls to the 

 ground in dry weather it remains still, but as soon as it gets 

 wet the seed-vessel commences to move, and, raising the cap- 

 sule into an upright position with its point downwards, forces 

 the seed into the ground. Sometimes the whole plant is 

 blown about — like the celebrated Eose of Jericho, tossed about 

 by the wind in the desert — till it is deposited in a damp place, 

 when the pods open and allow the seed to escape. The seeds 

 of a South African plant are said even to destroy lions. In 

 rolling about the sandy plain, seed-vessels of this plant often 

 become attached to the lion's skin, causing gTeat pain, when 

 the animal tries to tear them off. In this way the prickly 

 seed-vessels often get into the lion's mouth, causing a wound 

 which may prove fatal. In this connection a common British 

 grass, the wall-barley {Horcleum vmrinnm), the spikelets of 

 which are rough, and readily adhere to the passing traveller or 

 animal, is transported from one part of the country to another 

 miles apart. In the Compositte there are three species of 

 groundsels which have a curious distribution in our country. 

 Senecio vulgaris is everywhere found ; S. sylvaticus is abun- 

 dant in many situations ; while S. viscosus has a more limited 

 diffusion — a fact which is both interesting and peculiar, when 

 we take into consideration that this species is provided with 

 the crest on the seed similar to its congeners. Once more, 

 the ci^ocus exhibits efficient means of perfecting its seed at the 

 proper season. This plant has the ovary underground, with a 

 long slender style. As growth proceeds, and the soil stores 

 up warmth, the ovary with its contained seeds arises from its 

 subterranean concealment and ripens the seeds. The cocoa- 



