155 DISPERSAL OF SEEDS. 
Another common and well-known plant having hooked fruits is 
Goose Grass or Cleavers (GaLium APARINE). In this case the fruit 
itself is covered with short hooks, which hold on very tenaciously to 
anything that touches them ; they will even stick to the hand. 
The Agrimony (Acrimonia Evupatoria) has hooked spines on 
the calyx, which is persistent and hardened when in fruit. The 
whole fruit can be carried to long distances on any animal's coat, as 
it is only a small plant, 6in. to1 ft. high. Rabbits, hares, &c.. can 
easily carry the seeds away if they run against the plant. 
The genus Caucatts (Bur Parsley) has very spiney fruits. They 
are covered with strong hooks, which will adhere to any animal’s 
coat that happens to come in contact with the plant. We have 
several species, but all are alike as far as the hooked fruit is con- 
cerned. Many others of the order UmBELLIFER®, including the 
Carrot, have hooks on the fruit. Some of the species of Myosoris 
(Forget-me-nots) have hooks on the calyx, and as this organ is closed 
in fruit, the whole of the seeds in it are carried away if its hooks get 
entangled in the coat of any animal or among the feathers of birds, 
All the species of Myosotis having hooked hairs inhabit dry land ; 
none of the water species possess them. The AveNns (GEUM URBANUM) 
has the styles elongated and hooked. 
Among Grasses we find the various species of Barley (HorDEUM) 
with a long rough awn that possesses considerable power of holding 
on to any rough substance, and can be very easily carried about 
among the fur of animals. 
Many other British plants could be mentioned possessing hooks 
on some part or other of the fruiting organs. One plant that occurs 
in this country as a casual weed, XANTHIUM sPINOsUM, has large 
hooks on the fruiting heads, and is a great pest among the sheep in 
New South Wales. 
