CHAPTER XLV. 



SEED DISPERSAL 



891. Means for dissemination ot seeds. — iJuriuK late summer or autumn 

 a walk in the woods or afield oRvn coii\-iiices vis of the perfection and variety 

 of means with which ]"ilants are provided for the dissemination of their 

 seeds, especialh' wdien \\e discover that several hundred seeils or frin'ts of 

 different plants are stealing a ride at our exjiense ami anno_)'ance. The hooks 

 and barbs on various seed-po'fs catch into the hairs of passing animals and 

 the seeds may thus be transported 

 considerable distances. Amont; the 

 plants familiar to us. which have such 

 contrivances for unlawfully gaining 

 transportation, are the beggar-ticks 

 or stick tights, or somelimes called 



l'''K- 479- Fig. 4.S0. 



Bur of bidens or bur-marigold, show- Seed pod of tick-treefoil idcsmodium) ■ at the 



ing barbed seeds. ri.i;lit some of the liooks greatly niagml^ed. 



bur-marigold (bidens), tin- lick-lreefoil (desnmdium), or cockle-bur (xaiitlii- 

 uni), and burdock (arctiuin). 



892. ( Ither plants like some ol the sedges, etc., liNiiig on the nrirgiiis of 

 siretnns and of lakes, have seeds which are pinvided « itli lln.ils. The wind 

 or the flowing of the water tr.insiiorts tlieiii oflen to dist.tnt points. 



45.S 



