SOMETHING ABOUT SEEDS. 73 
bear them from one island or continent to another, while commerce, 
often unintentionally, scatters them over distant lands. In this 
latter way, many of the most pernicious weeds have spread from 
Europe into Australia, America and India, where they make them- 
selves perfectly at home, and evince frequently even more vitality 
than the native plants. To take one or two instances of this pecu- 
liar method of spreading, the Rudbeckia hirta is said to have come 
into New England with hay seed from the West, and is evidently 
increasing, while in New Brunswick I have heard it claimed that 
the white-weed (Leucanthemum vulgare) has spread with other 
Yankee notions from the neighboring states. It has certainly 
proved a successful invader and has taken possession of half the 
cultivated country. 
I cannot refrain from inserting here.a note from Sir J. E. Ten- 
nent’s “ Ceylon” in relation to the curious seeds of Spinifex squar- 
osus, the “ water-pink” as it is sometimes called by Europeans. 
“The seeds of this plant are contained in a circular head, com- 
osed of a series of spine-like divisions, which radiate from the 
stalk in all directions, making the diameter of the whole about 
eight or nine inches. When the seeds are mature, and ready for 
dispersion, these heads become detached from the plant, and are 
carried by the wind with great velocity along the sands, over the 
surface of which they are impelled by their elastic spines. One 
of these balls may be followed by the eye for miles as it hurries 
along the level shore, dropping its seeds as it rolls, which speedily 
germinate and strike root where they fall. The globular heads 
Spines acting as sails, they are thus carried across narrow estuaries 
to continue the process of embanking on newly formed sand-bars. 
uch an organization irresistibly suggests the won 
ordained by Providence to spread this valuable plant along te 
_ sisting the encroachments of the sea, 
tion by conferring on it the name of M 
great beard of Rawana or Rama.’ at 
As to the duration of seeds there are many conflicting accounts. 
All are familiar with the old story of the grain found with 
tian mummies, which vegetated after its disinterment and gave 
rise to a peculiar kind of wheat. This was a pleasant tale with 
which to point a moral, but it is now discredited by those most 
familiar with the facts. Still, it holds its place in many popular 
books, and shows the ease with which incorrect statements may 
