32 ON THE DISPERSAL OF SEEDS BY MAiMMALS. 



Other of the ways mentioned above, viz., by being- swallowed 

 by animals or birds, or being drifted by wind or water. 



The part played by mammals is insignificant compared 

 with that played by birds in the dispersal of seeds, but as has 

 been shewn it is too important to be overlooked. 



Of the great waves of evolution which in past times have 

 altered the whole character of the Flora of the world, the first 

 and greatest was probably that due to the appearance of pollen- 

 and honey-seeking insects through whose agency the brilliant 

 colours and elaborate forms of flowers were evolved. The 

 next was due to the evolution of the frugivorous birds through 

 whom we have obtained much of the colouring and sweetness 

 of the fruits Through the evolution of mammals, we have 

 also obtained many modifications of fruits, and the develop- 

 ment of some groups of plant, notably the grasses and some 

 of the other herbaceous plants will, I believe, be eventually 

 shown to have borne a close relation to the evolution of the 

 graminivorous mammals so abundant at one period of the 

 world's history. 



