SEEDS. t)l 



The Pappus is termed 



1. Stipitate, (stlpitatus) wlien supported on a stipe. 

 Ex. Dandelion. 



2. Sessile, (sessilis) when it is immediately connect- 

 ed with the seed. Ex. Jlpargia. 



3. Pilose, (pilosus) when it consists of simple hairs. 

 Ex. Golden Rod, Solidago. 



4. Plumose, (plumosus*) when each hair is branched 

 like a feather. Ex. Dandelion. 



5 Membranaceous, when it consists of thin, trans- 

 parent leaves. 



3. TAIL, (caiida) is an elongated, generally feathe- 

 ry, appendage to some seeds formed from the perma- 

 nent style. Ex. Virgin's bower, Clematis ; Avens, 

 Geum. 



4. WING, (aid) a dilated membranous appendage to 

 seeds. Ex. Catalpa tree and Trumpet -flower, Big-nonia. 



DISSEMINATION, (disseminatio ) 



The various contrivances of nature to disperse and scatter 

 abroad the seeds, 



Observation The various modes by which seeds are dispersed, 

 is a subject truly wonderful, and cannot fail to excite udmirat ion 

 in an observing mind. The numerous organs evidently construct- 

 ed for this peculiar purpose are alone sufficient to prove, be- 

 yond a. possibility of doubt, that the creation is the product of 

 superiour intelligence and design. 



Naturalists observe four means of dissemination. 



1 Rivers and running waters. 2. Wind. 3. Animals. 4. An 

 elastic capsule. 



L Seeds are often conveyed by running waters a great distance 

 from their native soil, and cast upon a very different climate, to 

 which, however, by degrees, they render themselves familiar. 

 Milne 



2. Those which are carried by the wind, are either furnished 

 with a pappus, as in the Dandelion, Thistle, and other compound 

 flowers, or with a wing, as the Maple, Ash, Trumpet-flower, &c 

 Tbebracteaof the Lime-tree or Basswood, Tilea, serves to wing 

 the seed ; it is placed obliquely, so as to give a rotatory or 

 whorling motion as it falls. Winged seeds generally are so con- 

 structed as to acquire a rotatory motion as they fall, and arc thus 

 suspended some time in the air. 



Many seeds, in addition to the means of dissemination, are cal- 

 culated to bury themselves in the earth. The seeds of many of 

 the compound flowers, as the Dandelion, have barbs pointing up i. 



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