40 
LITTLE WANDERERS. 
stem-like part of the pod, and this comes out when the 
pod splits away. Then the whole thing is 
floated off by the wind. This curi- 
ous plume curls up like a corkscrew 
when dry, and so pushes the seed 
down into the grass or the earth 
where it has fallen. When the plume is 
made damp by rain or dew it straightens out. 
At the bottom of ^^^^^ the seed case are a 
few hairs or bristles ^^ that point backward 
and hold the seed so that it cannot be pulled out of 
the ground when the plume curls and straightens, but 
must always be pushed farther in. 
It is a good plan for every one who has not seen the 
geranium seed case try to plant itself, to gather some 
ripe seeds and lay them on the earth in a flower pot. 
Let them get dry, then moisten them, then let them 
become dry again, and so on, until one has seen just how 
they work. 
