COTYLEDONS. 



619 



The fruits of tlie Stork's-bill (Erodmm) get planted in the same way as those 

 of the Featlier-grass. The five inericarps (or fruit segments) in this phmt detach 

 themselves in a very characteristic manner from their support, as may be seen 

 in tig. 1-1-7 *. Fii-st the lower thick end inclosing the seed splits off, and later 



■•;■ — ■;,. / 



^X• 



■J^ t 



Fig. 147.— Showing tlie boring of fruits into the ground. 

 >, * Fruit« of the Feather-grass (Stipa pennata). ^, * Fruits of the Storlc's-bill (Erodium Cicutarium). 



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

 spirally, and only its fi-ee 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-gi-ass, 

 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 



