MIMICRY. 331 



fragrant white jasmins of India remind one strongly 

 of Apocynacece. 



The most striking instances of recurrence of type 

 will be found amongst fruits, and perhaps the 

 most numerous. Before " mimicry " was thought of 

 in animals or plants, it had been remarked, as a 

 singular coincidence, that the seeds of an Indian 

 tree, Mesua ferrea, were like chestnuts. These seeds 

 are not only alike in size, form, and colour, but also 

 in character, so that they are eaten as a dessert fruit, 

 in a similar manner. The Indian tree belongs to 



Fig- 73-— Seeds of Messua ferrea, natural size. 



the same family as the gamboge and mangosteen, 

 whilst the chestnut finds a place with the oak, in a 

 family far removed. Somewhat alike to these, but 

 less striking, is the seed of the horse chestnut, the 

 fancied resemblance being perpetuated in the name. 

 There is also great similarity between some of 

 what are termed indehiscent legumes of the Legii- 

 minosce, and drupes of the Rosacea ; as, for instance, 



