COTYLEDONS. 



619 



of tl V r T m) get P knted in the sa y - those 



of the Feather-grass. The five mericarps (or fruit segments) in this plant detach 



h r teriStiC manaer fr m ^ SU PP rt ' - ^ be s^n 

 the lower thick end inclosing the seed splits off/and later 





, 



Fig. 147. Showing the boring of fruits into the ground, 

 i, 2 Fruits of the Feather-grass (Stipa pennata). *, * Fruits of the Stork's-bill (Erodium deuterium). 



also the long drawn-out point of the carpel. A part of the latter twists up 

 spirally, and only its free end stretches out in a slight curve, like the hand of a 

 watch. It is well known that this fallen fruit-segment is used as a hygrometer. 

 It is placed with its lower thick end which, like the fruit-end of the Feather-grass, 

 possesses a sharp point, on a board covered with paper, in the centre of a circle. 

 Marks are made on the circumference of the circle corresponding to the position 



