266 . Seed-Carriers 



pine-grass, too, cause positive ■ annoyance by a similar 

 habit of sticking into socks and trousers. 



This is the way in which seeds of these sorts get 

 themselves transported ; and accordingly it will be 

 found that fruits furnished with these means of laying 

 hold of the passer-by generally grow low enough down 

 to be within reach of some one or other of these means 

 of conveyance. Hides, fleeces, hair, wool, fur, feathers, 

 manes, tails — all are turned to account, and made 

 useful. 



It is true that both birds and quadrupeds are 

 frequently cleaning themselves, and do not willingly 

 carry anything of the sort about with them ; but when 

 once a bur has attached itself, it is very difficult to get 

 rid of again ; and the animal which it has made use 

 of will generally be obliged to carry it for a time, how- 

 ever unwillingly. 



We have abundant proof of this in the way in which 

 more than one plant has been introduced, not only 

 from one continent, but from one hemisphere, to 

 another, within recent times. 



The ' Bathurst bur,' among others, is a striking 

 example of the successful emigrant. Growing in 

 Patagonia, it got itself conveyed to Australia, where it 

 has flourished ever since in the most rampant manner. 

 The first step was to hook its burs into the tails and 

 manes of horses, which it did most effectually; and 

 then, as chance would have it, some of these same 

 horses were imported into Australia, burs and all, for 

 so thoroughly were they entangled that the animals 

 had not been able to shake or rub them all off, even 

 during the voyage. Some no doubt were got rid of, 

 but enough remained to make a fresh start in the new 



