226 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



in regions far asunder. We think of the ocean 

 as a vast harrier, yet the tidal streams may hridge 

 its expanse and hear the flora from continent to 

 continent. 



Accordingly, the first question which presents it- 

 self is this: Can seeds survive immersion in sea- 

 water, and for how long a time? To answer this 

 double question, Darwin soaked seeds of eighty- 

 seven varieties of plants in sea-water for twenty- 

 eight days and then planted them, with the result 

 that sixty-four kinds sprouted. Other experiments 

 of like nature proved that 14 per cent, of seeds and 

 fruits retained their vitality in salt-water so well 

 that they could be carried by the ocean currents for 

 a distance of 924 miles, and grow upon a distant 

 land. 



Drifting trees often carry stones and earth en- 

 tangled in their roots, and thus may act as carriers 

 of seeds. Land birds, with their crops full of 

 seeds, are often driven out to perish upon the ocean, 

 and their bodies become argosies freighted with 

 germs of flowers and weeds that will germinate on 

 some far-away shore. Icebergs are known often to 

 carry cargoes of earth and boulders, with sods, 

 roots, and seeds. Here again is a means of far dis- 

 semination. On the Azores are found strange 



