134 



THE CxARDEN OF EARTH 



easily find a footing. But with many other plants 

 " germination " is a quicker and more easy matter. 



Thus the pressing need comes in that seeds should 

 somehow travel or be taken elsewhere. And then arises 

 the necessity for help from outside. 



All do not need such help equally, since many plants 

 can do a good deal for themselves. 

 A large number come under the 

 heading of " Sling-fruits " ; a name 

 used for those that possess a curious 

 " expulsive force," by means of 

 which they can sling or fling their 

 seeds to a distance. With some, 

 the seeds are jerked away; or they 

 are shot off as from a catapult ; or 

 the enclosing envelope, when it 

 breaks open, does so with an energy 

 that tosses the contents violently to 

 right and left. 



Many plants, however, are gifted 

 with no such clever mechanical de- 

 vices, and they have to depend on 

 outside assistance. 



The winds of heaven step kindly 

 in, and make themselves useful, especially with smaller 

 and lighter seeds, easily carried about. Not a few are 

 so formed as to float in the air; and one of these 

 we all know — the Dandelion-seed, with its soft downy 

 " attachment." Dandelion " clocks " as the children 

 call them will rise high and fly fast before the gentlest 

 breeze. 



Seeds of this description may travel to almost any 



ACORN. 



