THE WORK OF FRUITS 325 



uous coloration, whereby the fact of their ripeness 

 is advertised to the birds which feed upon them. The 

 bright tints and sweet taste of the fruits thus serve a 

 similar purpose to the honey and gay colors of the 

 flowers. Experiments have been made to test the ger- 

 minating power of seeds which have passed through 

 the digestive tract of -birds, with the result that the 

 seeds germinated readily. Cherry, Apple and Juniper 

 trees are frequently planted by birds in this way, 

 especially along roadside fences, etc., which are 

 frequented by them. 



What seeds, especially of plants growing by brooks, 

 streams and lakes, are able to float? Place such seeds 

 in water, and see how long it takes them to sink. 

 Examine any accessible water- course for evidences of 

 distribution of seeds by water. 



The Cocoanut (Fig. 45) seems especially designed 

 for floating, inasmuch as its outer fibrous husk forms 

 a veritable life-preserver; it has been known to float 

 hundreds of miles on the surface of the ocean. On 

 reaching a strand, it readily germinates; in this way 

 coral and volcanic islands in the South Seas are 

 populated with Cocoanut Palms. 1 



1 On seed distribution see Kerner and Oliver; Natural History of Plants, 

 Vol. II; Beal: Seed Dispersal. 



