HISTORY OF PLANTS. 387 
alifferent Flora from that of the neighbouring con- 
-tinent of New Holland, possesses most plants which 
Norfolk island has. he Phormium fevay. in par- 
ticular grows in both. Several other observations 
like this might be made, would our present limits 
permit if. 
Bone 
Besides the manner, just now noticed, in which 
plants probably were disseminated over our globe, 
Many circumstances contributed to disseminate them 
still more, than would otherwise have happened. 
Several seeds are provided with a kind of hooks, 
by which they adhere to the skin of animals, and 
thus are carried about... Birds seek fer different 
seeds, and often carry them to the distance. of miles. 
The seeds of several aquatic plants become glued, 
_as it were, to the feathers of water-fowls, andagain 
are washed off when these birds visit other water. 
The seeds of most plants, when perfectly ripe, 
sink to the bottom in water. If inclosed in a hard 
shell, they will fora long. time remain fresh.  5e- 
-veral feet under ground, or at the bottom of the sea, 
seeds remain long fit for germination. Air has no 
access to such depths, and therefore does not de- 
stroy the seeds. Hence it.is that rivers and, seas 
may carry seeds from very distant regions. On the 
shores of Norway, (§ 355), ripe and fresh seeds 
from the West Indies are often thrown out. Did 
that climate suit those seeds, we would soon find 
the Cocos nucifera and other plants of the warmer 
climates germinate there ant Gren up... The seeds 
| Bebe of 
/ 
