THE FRUIT 
109 
Aggregate fleshy fruits occur in Rubus (drupes), Anonaceae (berries), 
&c. Multiple fleshy fruits are frequent in Moraceae [eg. mulberry, fig, 
bread-fruit), Ananas, Carludovica, Anona, &c. 
The style and stigma often fall away as the fruit ripens, but frequently 
remain in a more or less shrivelled or in an enlarged condition. 
Sometimes the style forms a hook, as in Geum, a plume, as in Clematis, 
or an awn, as in Geraniaceae (this name is applied to any long thread- 
like organ on a fruit ; cf. Gramineae). 
Other interesting morphological features in fruits are mentioned 
below and in Part II. ; besides the families and genera mentioned see 
Aesculus, Bertholletia, Chenopodium, Leontodon, Nymphaeaceae, Nyc- 
taginaceae, Palmae [eg. Phytelephas, Lodoicea, &c.), Pandanaceae, &c. 
Distribution of Seeds to a distance from the parent 
plant is of importance in two ways. It helps us to under- 
stand many questions in the geographical distribution of 
plants, such as the planting of oceanic islands, the presence 
of stray plants from one flora in the midst of an alien flora, 
and so on, and it is a very important factor in the life-history 
of an individual plant or species. It is evidently advan- 
tageous that the seeds should be carried to a little distance 
from the parent plant and from one another, so as to avoid 
shading and excessive competition. From the first considera- 
tion it behoves us to examine all occasional means by which 
seeds can by any possibility be dispersed. To the individual, 
on the other hand, only regular means of transport, taking 
place by aid of special mechanisms in the seed or plant 
itself, are of importance. 
One great obstacle to migration is a wide extent of ocean. 
Many seeds however are able to withstand sea-water for 
sufficient periods to be carried long distances. Trunks of 
trees may be floated away, carrying earth and seeds with 
them. Numbers of seeds, capable of germination, are 
brought by the Gulf Stream from the West Indies to 
Europe. Floating ice, especially river-ice, may also carry 
seeds. Tornados frequently carry seeds, &c. to great dis- 
tances, though they may not be adapted to ordinary wind- 
carriage. The balls of mud on the feet of water-birds, 
partridges, &c., often contain seeds in good condition. 
Carnivorous birds sometimes swallow their prey and after- 
wards void the contents of their crops, containing seeds 
capable of germination. Locusts carry grass-seeds with 
them, and so on (see Origin of Species , Chap. XII.). 
