224 ^^^ Great World's Farm 



escape contact with water: dead birds, having seeds in 

 their crops, may now and then escape being devoured, and 

 may be floated long distances by river or ocean currents; 

 and as many seeds retain their vitality after being in a 

 bird's crop for thirty days, some may be conveyed in this 

 way from time to time. 



The so-called ''goose-wheat" of Canada was first sown 

 from grain found in the crop of a wild goose which was 

 shot on its way, probably from Alaska, or the Russian 

 settlements on the other side of Behring Strait. 



QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 



1. What are nature's arguments in favor of seed-scattering? 



2. Give instances of plants which scatter their seeds by 

 explosion. 



3. How are many seeds fitted especially for transportation? 



4. Give the results of experiments showing that seeds may 

 be carried far by water. 



5. How are these seeds sometimes preserved from contact 

 with water? 



