1994] BILLINGS—TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES 107 
Dispersal of seeds in the Tillandsia is accomplished by the assist- 
ance of long delicate hairs that beset the seed coat. These arise by 
elongation of the cells of that part of the outer integument which 
forms a portion of the body of the seed, and also from that part which 
extends to the funiculus. The hairs not only assist in wind trans- 
portation, but are also of use to the seed in enabling it to adhere to 
bark or festoons of moss. The adaptation for effective adherence 
consists in closely appressed barbs attached to the hairs at inter- 
vals (fig. 44). Soon after the opening of the capsules, numerous 
instances of seeds clinging tightly to limbs and to moss festoons 
may be observed. 
The time of discharge of seeds is in March (at Baton Rouge). 
I have no data as to possible variation of this time in localities widely 
distant, but suppose it is nearly uniform for the southern states. 
March, of course, is an unusual month for dehiscence of fruits in the 
north temperate zone, but in Tillandsia it stands in close relation 
to another property not generally possessed by seeds in temperate 
climates, that is, quick germination. Though lack of facts forbids 
positive statement, it may be conjectured that this relationship 
originated from ancestors living in tropical lowlands, where a dormant | 
period to withstand unfavorable conditions is unnecessary. 
GERMINATION OF THE SEED. 
Tillandsia produces seed in considerable quantity each year. 
Just what proportion contains fully-matured embryos has not been 
ascertained, but there is no doubt that a large percentage have them. 
The embryos appear perfectly normal, with the exception of the dead 
cortical cells in the root or hypoctyl, and show no apparent reason 
why they should not give rise to seedlings. The experience of inves- 
tigators, however, has been that seeds produced by the epiphyte are 
worthless, a condition which has arisen through the introduction of 
a vegetative mode of reproduction, whereby seed-production has 
degenerated. Nevertheless, I made efforts to induce seeds to germi- 
nate by placing them in a germinator, but without success. MEEHAN 
(5) reports having found the seed germinating in the hollow crotch 
of a tree in which vegetable mold had collected. He says that from 
the seedlings or young plants proceed stolons or runners, having buds 
