282 



OUTLINES OF PLANT LIFE. 



(figs. 247, 248, 249, 250). A few water animals and wading 

 birds distribute seeds which happen to fall into the mud by 

 the adhesion of this mud to their bodies. 



The fleshy fruits with edible parts are usually colored to 

 attract the notice of the fruit-eating animals. Seeds which 

 escape crushing by 

 the teeth or grinding * v 



in the gizzard are 

 apt to be in condition 

 to germinate when 

 voided. The seeds 

 of the mistletoe are 

 separated from the 



Fig. 245. 



Fig. 24 



Fig. 244. — Heads of fruits of the dandelion : single fruits falling, exposing common 



torus and involucre. Natural size. — After Kerner. 

 Fig. 245. — Fruits of a willow, burst, and allowing the seeds, each with a tuft of silky 



hairs (coma), to escape. Natural size. — After Kerner. 



pulp of the berry by the birds which eat them, and, sticking 

 to the bill, are wiped off on the branches of trees, where they 

 germinate. 



The adaptation of plants to any one of these agents of dis- 

 tribution is likely to be more or less effective with other 

 agents. For example, the tufts of hairs which increase the 

 buoyancy of the seed in air would be equally effective should 



