MANUAI, OF NATURE STUDY. 123 



not adapted for willow growth, are swept bare of 

 these seeds by the wind. The silky hairs are 

 peculiarly adapted for clinging to the mud, spread- 

 ing out and thus bringing the seeds into close con- 

 tact with the mud for germination. Notice the 

 maple seed with its butterfly wings, the linden with 

 its skiflF, the roundness of walnuts for rolling down 

 hill, the roughness and wartiness of some seeds to 

 hold the dirt well, the mucilaginous coating of the 

 sun flower seeds and gourd seeds, when fresh, to 

 enable them to adhere well to the soil. 

 2. Show how seeds separate from plants. 



a. Fruits that do not open at maturity, fall by 

 the force of gravitation, when the sap ceases to 

 bring food from the leaves, but they fall mos 

 rapidly during windy weather. Why is that true 

 and of what advantage to the seed? Name as 

 many fruits as are known to separate in this way. 

 In this collection, apples, peaches, plums, pears, 

 cherries, berries of every description, of course will 

 be mentioned, together with some discussion as to 

 the wisdom of nature in providing the juicy pulp 

 and colored skin; but the fruits equipped with hairs, 

 curved bristles or hooked spines, together with the 

 winged fruits and plumes should have a prominent 

 place in the discussion. 



b. Fruits that open and discharge their seeds 

 \(rlien ripe. 



