EXERCISE 122 



From the viewpoint of a race of plants the fruit is of value (i) as a protection to the young plant 

 until it can be safely launched away from " home," and (2) as an aid in distributing the seeds over as 

 wide an area as possible. Since plants are not, as a rule, organisms that are capable of independent 

 locomotion, they must depend upon outside moving agencies to transport them. 



Problem. In what ways are fruits and seeds adapted to wide distribution ? 



What to use. Many different kinds of fruits and seeds in the field, woods, or garden ; some to study 

 in detail in the laboratory. 



What to do. Examine the fruits and seeds to see what there is about them that fits them to a wide 

 distribution. Consider what agencies in their environment might be available as aids in distribution, 

 and what processes of the parent plants might be of service. 



Record. Make a list of distinct types of fruits or seeds, illustrating different modes of distribution, 

 and describe their modes of dissemination. 



Questions. 1. What advantage is it to a plant to produce seeds? 



2. What advantage is it to a plant to scatter its seeds far from its own base ? 



3. Of what advantage to the species is wide distribution ? 



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