October 179 



the capsule, and keeps it closed until the seed is 

 perfectly ripe. Then it uncoils, the segments curl 

 backwards, and the seeds are allowed to drop out 

 and sow themselves. 



The iris, the datura, and a large number of other 

 plants produce capsules which open their valves when 

 ripe and allow their seeds to escape, and this is 

 perhaps the simplest mode of liberating ripe seed ; 



YELLOW IRIS CAPSULES. 



but at this season, when so many plants are producing 

 their fruit, we shall find it quite interesting to note 

 some of the many other curious modes by which 

 seeds are dispersed. 



We observed in the spring the fruits of the 

 sycamore, maple, and hornbeam, which are furnished 

 uith a samara, or thin membrane, so that the 

 autumn breezes may bear them flying through the 

 air, and sow them far away from the parent tree. 



The wild balsam affords a good example of 



