Disrr.u'slox or lurirs axd seeds 247 



must bear in iniiul lliat these plants usually have 

 aerial flowers in addition to those matured under- 

 j;roun(l, and that these aerial flowers produce fruits 

 which are subject to dis|)ersion. We p.ia\' theref(jre 

 C(Jiiclude that the uiider_L;roLuul seeds are to ensure 

 the continuance of the jjlant when the (ordinary 

 methods have perhafjs partially failed. My 

 readers may each autumn find an endless source 

 of wonder and interest in the thousands of differ- 

 iuL,^ fruits and seed-vessels which may be obtained 

 in any hedi^^erow and field ; and b\- careful obser- 

 vation the)' ma\' yet learn man\- new facts and be 

 ever addini;" to their store of knowledge by gather- 

 ing and comparing the fruits and their dispersion, 

 as shown in the types sketched in this chapter. 



Objects to collect and examine :— Fruits and 

 seed-\essels of martxnia, burdock, forget-me-not, 

 agrimony, enchanter's nightshade, bedstraw, samara 

 of sycamore, ash-ke\s, pinus seeds, birch seeds, 

 dandelion and goat's-beard seeds, pods of sweet- 

 pea, broom, laburnum, and pansy. Seed-vessels of 

 balsam, wild uat, feather-grass, Liinuca borealis, 

 salvia, plumbago, ground-nut, and ivy-leaved 

 toad-flax. 



