120 



PLANT WTDJUES 



STiddenly curls np and throws the seeds (see Fig. 133). The 

 squirting cucumber is so named because it becomes very 

 much distended with water, whicli is finally forcibly ejected 

 along with the mass of seed. An " artillery plant "' common 



in cultivation discliarges its 

 seeds with consideraljle vio- 

 lence ; while the detoinitions 

 resulting from the explosions 

 of the seed-vessels of Hura 

 crepitans, the •' monkey's din- 

 ner bell," are often remarked 

 by travelers in tropical 

 forests. 



81. Dispersal of seeds by animals. — Only a few illustra- 

 tions can l)e given of this very large subject. Water birds 

 are gi'eat caiTiers of seeds which are contained in the mud 

 clinging to their feet and legs. This mud from the borders 

 of ponds is usually completely filled with seeds and spores 

 of various plants. One has no conception of tJie number 

 until they are actually com- 

 puted. The following ex- 

 tract froni Darwin's Origin 

 of Species illustrates this 

 p(iint : 



, 1^6. The fruit of carrot, showing 

 tile grappling appendages. — After 

 Deai,. 





f-L,-f- 



Fn;. 127. Tlie fruit of coelilelnir, sliowing 

 tlie grappling apjirndages.- Alter Bkal. 



"I tool;, in February, tliree 

 talilesiiooiil'uls of imid from three 

 (lilVeieiit jiiiiiits lieueulli water, 

 oil the edge iiC a little iionil. This mud when dried weighed only (if 

 ounees ; I kept it covered up in my study for six moiillis, ]iu]lin,g' up 

 anil eouiitiiig each plant .-is it grew ; the phuils were of many kinds, 

 and were altogether 5;!7 in iiunilier; and yel the viscid mud was all 

 contained in a lireakfasl cii[i ! " 



Water birds are generally high and strong fliers, and the 

 seeds and s]iores may thus be transported to the margins of 

 distant jionds or lakes, and so very widely dispersed. 



In many cases seeds or fruits develop gra]ipling apiiend- 



