DISPERSAL BY WATER. 



845 



uppose that rain-water running off the plants and then trickling along the ground 

 rould be a very effectual means of dispersing fruits and seeds, but closer observa- 

 ion convinces one that distribution is comparatively seldom effected in this manner, 

 tnd that wherever such dispersion does occur it is invariably supplemented by 

 iome other means of dissemination. The best-known instances are afforded by two 

 )lants which, on account of their extraordinary properties, were brought to Europe 

 ? rom the East by pilgrims and crusaders in the Middle Ages. They were called 

 1 Roses of Jericho", and all sorts of marvellous tales were told concerning thnn. 

 rf these plants is Anastatica Hierochuntica, a Crucifer which grows on the Steppe- 

 Lands of Egypt, Arabia, and Syria, and which has the peculiarity that its branches 



Fi* 463. -Fruits which open upon uciu -.- 



2 The ime when wetted. Fruit of Mesembryanthemum CtondoBeanuim dry. 



rtawLi^^ ** 6 Thc 8&me *" ^ wettei 





unopened rose, and it remains una tered so long - , , ke eps dry 



d -* ** uM eefi 



unopen , 



the branches at once open back and -* 



also open at the same time, 



fruit-valves by falling ram. 



the long drought which follows the 



winter rains set in that the tangle of 



of the fruit. The second "Rose of Jencho 



o the Composite family and 



Palestine, being met with in 



eefi ^ 



remains closed during 

 . { t tm the 



seeds are washed out 



is a 8ma ll plant 



PV9 ^ ^^ to 



L^urhood of Jericho. 

 matunty> 



