DISPERSAL OF SEEDS. 156: 
All our English species have very insignificant hooks compared 
with some foreign species, which are very formidable, and even 
dangerous. 
We have many instances of plants bearing sweet and brightly 
coloured fruits, but in these cases the vital part of the fruit is hard, 
or of an unpleasant flavour. As most of these fruits are eaten by 
birds and animals the stone or seed is often carried a long distance 
before it passes out of the animal’s body. The fact of its being for 
some time in the warm body will probably help germination. 
Among these fruits may be mentioned, Hawthorn, Currants, 
Raspberries, Blackberries, Cherries, Plums, all have hard indigestible 
stones within the sweet outer coat. 
In the case of the Strawberry, the sweet fleshy part is the 
receptacle, with the little hard nuts on the outside, which are, of 
course, swallowed when the sweet part is eaten. The Mistletoe is 
another instance of bird distribution. 
The Cuckoo Pint (ARuM maAcuLATUM) has a very attractive red 
fruit, which is probably eaten by small animals, but it is highly 
poisonous. It has been suggested that if some animals are poisoned 
by it, the plant is benefited, since it not only gets dispersal, but the 
decaying body of the animal makes manure for the seed to grow in. 
No doubt many small seeds are carried by birds and animals 
among the mud on their feet. Particularly those species that 
inhabit the edges of lakes, pools, etc. It is probably due to this fact 
that we find such a number of maritime plants on the Branstone 
Salt Marsh. 
As numerous birds from the salt marshes on our coasts pass 
along the Trent Valley, they may leave seeds behind them. One of 
the plants found at Branstone, SamoLus VALERANDI, has very minute 
