232 INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL SCIENCE 



c. 1403:49-74. Flowers. 



d. 1403:74-78. Cross-fertilization. 



e. 1404:286-311. The Work of Flowers. 



/. 1405 : 159-167. Flowers and Reproduction. 



g. 1406:196-233. The Flower. 



h. 1603 : 44-53. The Flower. 



t. 1609:315-329. The Flower. 



J. 1611 : 91-99. The Flower and Fruit. 



168. FRUITS AND SEEDS 



After the seeds have become formed and have begun to 

 grow, a certain amount of protection is necessary, as well as 

 a plentiful supply of food. This is accomplished by a nut 

 or fruit, or some other simple form of covering. 



Since the crowding of plants beneath the parent plant would 

 prevent proper growth, a seed dispersion is necessary. This 

 is accomplished by some fruits themselves, such as the squirt 

 cucumber; or it may be produced by elastic tissues of the 

 seed pods, or through the agency of birds, animals, and water. 

 Burrs and the stickers of foxtail are examples of transporta- 

 tion through other agencies, and the seeds sometimes cling 

 to the feet of animals or of birds, and are carried some distance 

 before being dropped. Wind transports fluffy and winged 

 seeds. 



When the seeds are in contact with moisture, osmosis takes 

 place and water passes into the seed. See Section 119, 

 Osmosis. After the absorption of water the growth depends 

 upon warmth and plant food. 



References : 



1. 1407:5-11. The Seed, its Germination and Storage of 



Food. 



2. 1407:146-150. The Fruit. 



