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to twenty feet from the capsule in which they 

 ripen. 



The mangrove trees of Florida germinate their 

 seeds upon the tree and then drop little plants 

 off into the water; here winds and currents may 

 move them hither and yon as they blindly ex- 

 plore for a rooting-place. 



The cocoanut tree covers its nuts with a kind 

 of " excelsior" which prevents their breaking 

 upon the rocks. This also facilitates the floating 

 and transportation of the nut in the sea. When 

 the breakers have flung < it upon rocks or 

 broken reefs, here its fibrous covering helps it 

 cling until the young roots grow and anchor it 

 securely. 



Thus endlessly during all the seasons of the 

 year the trees are sowing their ripened seed and 

 sending them forth, variously equipped, blindly 

 to seek a place in which they may live, perpetu- 

 ate the species, and extend the forest. 



It is well that nature sows seeds like a spend- 

 thrift. So many are the chances against the 

 seed, so numerous are the destroying agencies, 

 so few are the places in reach that are unoc- 



302 



