290 Chances of Life 



'beak' with which we are all familiar in the geranium. 

 But when they are ripe, they separate at the lower end, 

 and begin to twist like a corkscrew, still holding together 

 at the tip, however, for a time. Each arrow is fringed 

 on the inner side with short stiff hairs, and the ovary 

 is pointed and barbed in a special manner. They are 

 readily carried by the wind therefore, besides also 

 clinging easily to the coats of animals ; and when at 

 last they drop singly to the ground, the barbs catch in 

 the soil and hold them fast. The shafts of the arrows 

 twist more and more the drier they grow, and as they 

 twist, they turn the seed deeper and deeper into the 

 ground. 



Some seeds have many more difficulties in the way 

 of their growing than others. For with some, it is 

 absolutely necessary that they should be buried before 

 they can even begin to germinate ; while others, though 

 they may be able to germinate without help or pre- 

 paration of any kind, find it by no means easy to do 

 more than make the first start. 



With some, germination is an easy matter enough, 

 all that they need being a little moisture. Such is the 

 mustard-seed, which will sprout, and even grow for a 

 time, on any damp surface ; a piece of flannel, or even 

 the outside of a porous earthenware jar will do, if only 

 this is kept filled with water. Other seeds begin to 

 shoot even before they leave the parent-plant. The 

 seeds of a species of convolvulus put forth quite large 

 leaves before they burst the pod ; and in hot climates, 

 the seed of the water-melon sometimes -grows in like 

 manner, within the fruit. 



Brazil nuts also begin sprouting before the hard 

 outer case in which they are enclosed shows any sign 



