286 
A TEXTBOOK 
OF GENERAL BOTANY 

Fig. 283. Seeds of Entada scandens (x 4) and Mucuna gigantea (x 1) 
These are adapted to dispersal by water by having an impervious seed coat and 
by containing an air cavity (in the first case between the cotyledons, and in the 

Fig. 284. Fruit of 
Nelumbium nelumbo 
Below are the remains 
of the stamens. The 
large part above is 
the enlarged torus, the 
fruits being in depres- 
sions in the torus. The 
fruits float, and besides, 
the enlarged torus is 
replete with air cavi- 
ties and is very buoy- 
ant. (x4) 
second around the embryo) 
plants. Either the whole fruit or the seed 
may be adapted for floating. The pericarp 
of a fruit may be composed of light tissue 
(Fig. 281), or the fruit may be inflated 
(Fig. 282). The coconut (Fig. 304) is an 
excellent example of a fruit with a light 
pericarp. Floating seeds may likewise con- 
tain either a mass of light tissue or large 
air spaces (Fig. 283). In the lotus fruit 
(Fig. 284) the torus is a greatly enlarged 
mass of loose, air-filled tissue which floats 
readily, while the individual fruits are also 
adapted for floating. Many seeds that are 
not especially fitted for floating may occa- 
sionally float for short distances, or seeds 
that by themselves would not float may be 
carried in floating débris. 
Dispersal by animals. Seeds that are 
adapted for dispersal by animals are dis- 
seminated in two general ways: in the case 
of fleshy fruits a portion of the fruit is eaten 
by the animal, while many dry fruits adhere 
to animals. 
Fleshy fruits. Fleshy fruits are generally 
adapted to being eaten by animals. Such 
