170 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



changes from green to yellowish white and then to red. As the 

 receptacle increases in size the carpels become more separated 

 from one another, and the true fruitlets, which are the result of 

 the further development of the carpels, are distributed over the 

 surface of the succulent receptacle. Each 

 fruitlet is seated in a small depression of the 

 latter, and consists of a firm yellow coat de- 

 veloped from the wall of the ovary and the 

 single seed protected by this. The fruitlets 

 do not fall off, but should an animal eat 

 the succulent fruit their hard wall will pro- 

 tect the seeds against the action of the digestive 

 FIG. 81. Fruit of the juices. The structure of the strawberry, like 

 that of other succulent fruits, is to be looked 

 at in the light of this. 

 Both in the wild state and under cultivation the increase in 

 number of individuals of the Strawberry plants is mainly effected 

 by means of the runners. The spread of the plant to a distant 

 spot must, however, be by seed, and in cultivation seedlings are 

 raised in the search for new varieties. 



THE BIRD'S-FOOT TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus, L.). 



The Common Bird's-Foot Trefoil is to be found in exposed 

 and sunny grassy situations, where it forms extended patches 

 conspicuous in May and June on account of the golden yellow 

 flowers. The Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus, Schk.) 

 (Plate), while differing in some minor points, will serve equally 

 for study. These plants get their name from the groups of pods 

 which, borne on the slender stalk of the inflorescence, have some 

 resemblance to the claw of a bird. 



To understand the mode of growth of the plant, specimens 

 should be carefully dug up, when the student will be surprised 

 to find that what appeared to be a considerable colony of the 

 plant is really a group of radiating branches attached to the 

 one root. This is a long and stout tap-root, from which finer 

 branches pass off into the soil around. On some of these branches 

 little swellings, called root - tubercles, will be found (Plate). 



