NUT CAMOUFLAGE 
for the meat in the nut, is so great as to make up for all 
the losses. There is much doubt, in fact, if the nut¬ 
bearing trees would survive if it were not for the squirrels. 
The second purpose of the meat in the acorn is that of 
supplying food for the tiny plant when it first starts. 
When its leaves first appear, it must have materials for 
growth. These it can draw from the stores in the acorn 
before its roots get themselves planted in the ground and 
begin to draw from it. The plant in its early days would 
not fare so well if there were no food stored up for it. 
When those days are past, it is found that the meat of 
the acorn or nut has all been used. 
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