Chances of Life 247 



The number of seeds produced varies enormously in 

 different plants. Orchids produce them at the rate of 

 thousands to each blossom; and some of the foreign 

 species go far beyond this, a single seed-vessel containing 

 more than a million and three-quarters of seeds. The 

 blossom of an oak, on the other hand, produces but one 

 seed. But the advantage is not all on the side of num- 

 bers; for the greater the number the smaller the size; 

 and the smaller the seed the smaller the germ, and also 

 the smaller the supply of ready-made food with which it 

 begins life. A large seed, such as a bean, has a large, 

 strong germ; and its two thick seed-leaves, which are 

 really store-cupboards, can supply the seedling with plenty 

 of food, so that it starts with much in its favor. And so 

 ten large seeds will often, it is said, yield more plants 

 than some thousands of small ones. 



Neither the acorn nor the chestnut, when it has left its 

 shell, has anything to protect it except its color, which, 

 being like that of the earth, or of dead leaves, may some- 

 times enable it to escape notice as it lies on the ground; 

 and if but one escapes now and then, at long intervals, 

 once in a few centuries, the stock will be kept up, though 

 not increased. 



Small seeds have a better chance in some ways, as 

 they are more easily sheltered, and hidden from the bright, 

 keen eyes of the birds. A bed of damp moss is a capital 

 hiding-place; and so are the cracks which open in the soil 

 when the earth is dry; for these close up again when the 

 wet comes, and the seeds are safely buried out of harm's 

 way. Cracks may often be seen full of seeds. 



Still, "if you want a thing done, do it yourself," is an 

 excellent motto even for seeds, and it is an advantage to 



