DISPERSAL AND PROTECTION XXI 



In what setting will the red fruit appear to 

 greatest advantage ? In a green one, surely, and 

 it is the plants whose fruit ripens while the sur- 

 rounding foliage is still green, or whose foliage 

 is evergreen, which usually bear red fruits. 

 Amidst the brightly colored leafage of autumn, 

 how effective are the blue and black drupes and 

 berries ! Sometimes the dark-colored fruits are 

 borne on red stems, producing a similar result. 

 White fruits grow usually on plants which shed 

 their leaves early, the white being brought into 

 contrast with the bare branches, or, if low plants, 

 with the floor covering of fallen leaves. The 

 fruits are often massed in close heads, spikes, 

 etc., rendering them still more conspicuous. 



The bird recognizes the sign of his especial 

 hostelry from afar, and comes to the feast spread 

 for him. As we have seen, he renders his host 

 a mutual service, depositing its offspring in 

 various places, some of which will doubtless 

 prove auspicious for the seed's development. 



Bears are fond of berries and are said to scatter 

 their seed. Mrs. Dana speaks of the berry of the 

 wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) serving as 

 food in winter for the hungry deer. 



Until the seeds are ripe, many features serve 

 to protect them from destruction by the agent 

 afterward so useful in dispersing them. The 



