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seeds that send their cotyledons above ground, where 
they become green and set about manufacturing food, 
for it is well known to many people who are gardeners 
rather than Botanists, but who perhaps have not 
thought about its significance, that in some species 
their safety is much more secure because, instead of 
emerging from the coat, their duty is to remain inside 
and deal with the food supply that has already been 
provided by the parent plant: Wood Anemones, 
Sweet Peas, Acorns, Crocuses, Daffodils and Scarlet 
Runners are of this sort, but not French Beans. We 
understand, then, that in addition to warmth and 
moisture it is often a matter of vital importance, 
especially for seedlings with green aerial cotyledons, 
for the seeds to be firmly anchored in or covered over 
by the soil, and there are various interesting ways in 
which this is managed, that can be observed without 
difficulty. The hooks, for example, upon the fruits 
combed out from the coat of the Cat are useful; they 
help to anchor the seed which may be pressed into the 
soil by heavy rain or by being trodden in or rolled 
upon: they also collect small particles of dust and 
thus aid its being covered over. I think, too, that the 
sculpture of various sorts which can be seen on so many 
common seeds, such as those of the Stitechwort, the 
Ragged Robin, the Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Fig. 52, see 
Plate V., p. 144), and the Ivy-leaved Toadflax, serves the 
same purpose among others. It is not by any means 
easy to wet such seeds, for water does not readily soak 
in between the spines of those of the Stitchwort and the 
Ragged Robin, or into the pits and depressions of those 
of the Cranesbill and the Toadflax respectively. Thus 
they help to keep the seed dry during the dispersal 
period. When, on the other hand, it comes finally 
