Geraniums 129 
are fully grown, the latter become separated from 
each other, and the five styles also separate from 
each other, though for a time they 
remain attached to the carpel (now 
open at the inner edge) and to the 
central axis; but by the continued 
lengthening of the last-named there 
comes a peeling off of the style, 
followed by its rapid curling up 
from the lower end and carrying the 
carpel with it. This act reverses the 
carpel completely, so that the con- 
tained seed is hurled out of the 
carpel and away. A few hairs at 
the bottom of the carpel- opening 
prevent the seed from falling out Geranium scattering seeds 
at the beginning of the curling 
movement. The fruit of Herb-Robert differs some- 
what from that of the other species in the fact that 
the styles separate from the carpels, but a tongue- 
like process from the bottom of the style keeps it 
in place behind the carpel, and when all is perfectly 
ripe the sudden curl up of the 
style acts lke the steel spring 
in a toy shot-gun when re- 
leased by the trigger-pressure, 
and the carpel(which was merely 
attached to the axis by a few 
ae silky hairs) with its contained 
seed is shot off with great force. 
It is well worth while grow- 
ing any of our Crane’s-bills 
in pots in order to study this seed-shooting process, 
ra, 
Herb-Robert discharging its seed 
