FLOWERS AND FRUITS 161 



the seeds inside having no wings. The result is the 

 same, the seeds in all being blown about. Make sketches 

 of all the winged seeds or fruits examined. 



Look at a ripe poppy fruit, whilst still attached to 

 the plant. Around the top edge are a number of small 

 holes, through which it is apparently impossible for the 

 seeds to get out, until the fruit drops off or decays. 



Place a sheet of newspaper under the plant, and then 

 pull the head to one side and let it spring back with a 

 jerk. Some of the seeds will probably be thrown out 

 through the little holes, and will be found on the paper. 

 On a windy day this process goes on naturally, and the 

 holes being placed at the top ensures that seeds are only 

 set free when the conditions are such that they will be 

 scattered to some distance from the parent plant. 



Similar observations can be made on the fruits of 

 the wild hyacinth, bluebell, etc. Notice how in all of 

 these plants the seed-cases are placed on the top of long, 

 springy stalks. 



Dispersal by Water. 



Examine fruits of water-lilies, sedges, and other 

 plants found naturally growing by the waterside, and 

 see if any of them are able to float in water. Collect all 

 seeds and fruits found floating on streams or ponds and 

 endeavour to ascertain to what plants they belong. 



Dispersal by Animals. 



Collect in the hedge-row a spray of goose-grass or 

 cleavers which has a number of the little round green or 

 brown fruits on it. Pull the spray along your coat and 



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