REPRODUCTION 



239 



where there are not too many other plants wanting these 

 same conditions. If all the seeds formed dropped about 

 the parent plant, and developed into plants, there would 

 soon be so many of them that they would seriously inter- 

 fere with one another. It is thus of great advantage to 

 plants to have the seeds widely scattered so that some 

 may find all the conditions favorable to growth. 



There are many methods by which seeds are widely 

 scattered. Many seeds and fruits are so constructed 



Maple 



Elm 



Fig. 103. Group of winged fruits. 



that they are very likely to be carried about by wind, 

 water, or animals. You can easily think of many seeds 

 and fruits dispersed by each of these agents. Think 

 of the winged fruits of the maples, elms, or catalpas 

 which are so easily carried by the ^vvind. So, too, are 

 the tufted seed-like fruits of the thistle, dandelion, and 

 milk weed. Various burrs, Spanish needles, and beggar 



