150 NATURE TEACHING 



simply fall through and a dense growth of seedlings 

 spring up immediately around the parent plant. The 

 poppy, wild hyacinth or bluebell, and foxglove, afford good 

 examples. The seeds in such seed-cases which are open 

 above would be liable to be damaged by rain, and we 

 often find that this is guarded against. Thus in some 

 fruits the openings are very small, whilst other fruits 

 only open in dry weather, closing again when it is wet. 



Water-borne fruits. The fruit of the coco-nut, 

 with its tough fibrous covering, is able to float long 

 distances without damage. The coco-nut palm is now 

 found on almost all tropical shores, and is one of the first 

 plants to reach new coral islands, often many miles from 

 the nearest land. The seeds or fruits of several South 

 American and West Indian plants have been found on 

 the shores of Scotland, Norway, etc., having travelled 

 some 4000 miles, by the aid of the Gulf Stream. Those 

 who live near streams and rivers should watch for seeds 

 and fruits carried down by the water. Interesting 

 examples may sometimes be seen; for instance, the float- 

 ing portions of the fruits of the white water-lily enclosing 

 the seeds, and the seeds of sedges and other similar 

 plants which grow by the waterside. 



Animals. Many fruits are provided with hooks 

 and spines, whereby they become attached to the coats 

 of passing animals. The greater number of the fruits 

 which do this are commonly spoken of as " burrs." 

 Amongst examples common in Great Britain are the 

 fruits of butter-burr, cleavers, wood-avens, enchanter's 

 nightshade, and the wood-sanicle. The sight of these 

 fruits sticking to a person or an animal who has pushed 



