r PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN PLANTS 51 



d. Field Work 



Observations. 1. Visit a vacant lot, a city park, or country 

 fields, and collect as many examples of fruits scattering their 

 seeds as you can. Get the common names of those you do not 

 know from your instructor. Label some boxes, using the head- 

 ings of the two preceding exercises, and sort the material in the 

 proper boxes. Give them to the school museum, if you so 

 desire. 



2. Take as many notes as you can concerning any observa- 

 tions you may make in the field. Note especially the means of 

 protection and distribution, even though you may not know the 

 name of the fruit until told. 



Questions 



1. Why do most plants produce a large number of seeds ? 



2. What advantage to plants that their seeds be widely dis- 

 tributed ? 



3. Are cotton fibers on the fruit or on the seed ? 



4. Visit some vacant lot and observe how the common weed 

 seeds there are scattered. 



5. What is the purpose of fleshy fruits ? 



6. Is an ear of corn a fruit, or a collection of fruits ? 



7. What is the purpose of the husk of corn ? 



8. What is the purpose of the bright colors and sweet tastes 

 of fruits ? 



9. How might coral islands far at sea become supplied with 

 various seeds ? 



10. How might the seeds of undesirable plants be brought to 

 this country ? 



11. How might railroads affect seed dispersal ? 



12. Should a weedy vacant lot be burned over in the fall or 

 in the spring ? Explain. 



13. Describe the process by which plants produce fruits. 



14. What is the chief use of fruits to plants ? 



