COTYLEDONS. 



619 



The fruits of the Stork's-bill (Erodiiim) get planted in the same way as those 

 of the Featlier-grass. The five mericarps (or fruit segments) in this plant detach 

 themselves in a very characteristic manner from their support, as may be seen 

 in fig. 147^. First the lower thick end inclosing the seed splits off, and later 



t'ig. 147. — showing the boring of fruits into the ground. 

 1, " Fruits of the Feather-grass (Stipa peiinata). ^, * Fruits of the Storli's-bill (ßrodium Cicntarinm). 



also the long drawn-out point of the carpel. A part of the latter twists up 

 spirally, and only its free end stretches out in a slight curve, like the hand of a 

 watch. It is well known that this fallen fruit-segment is used as a hygrometer. 

 It is placed with its lower thick end which, like the fruit-end of the Feather-grass, 

 possesses a sharp point, on a board covered with paper, in the centi-e of a circle. 

 Marks are made on the circumference of the circle corresponding to the position 



