68 ELEMENTARY BOTANY 
Seeds Many fruits, in dehiscing, often send out their 
scattered on : rea 
Dehiscence of Sceds with an explosive movement. ‘This is the 
Fruits. case in the Violet, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Balsam, 
Squirting Cucumber, and Herb Robert. In this Geranium, the 
carpel springs from the central rod and sends out its seeds 
(Lord Avebury says) sometimes to the distance of 20 feet ; 
the Dog-violet scatters its seeds 10 feet; and the Squirting 
Cucumber, owing to the pressure of the liquid inside, 20 feet. 


Fia. 93.—FRvuit oF WILLOW HERB Fic. 94.—Pop oF CoTron Dkr- 
DEHISCING AND EXPOSING SEEDS ; HISCING AND SHOWING SEEDS; 
ALSO A DETACHED SEED. | * ALSO A SINGLE SEED witH HArrs 
: FOR DISPERSION. 
Many pods from the elasticity of their walls roll up in 
dehiscing, and thus jerk the seeds some little distance-—for 
instance, the Sweet Pea ; whilst in some Vetches the pod twists 
like a corkscrew and ejects its seeds. 
Many fruits and seeds have the power of floating 
in water, and can thus be carried some distance. 
Darwin found that many seeds could resist the effect of sea- 
water, and would germinate even after being immersed thirty 
By Water. 
