Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-02
FACTS ABOUT SEA .BEANS

They Are the Seeds OF Pod Bearing Vine,
| Which Grow on Land.
| SEA BEANS ARE SURELY AMONG THE
~ most interesting objects to be picked ur
on the ocean beach. There 10 something O,
mystery about them that is pleasing in itself
Few people have any notion as to where the,
come from, but they will tell you that these re.
variable seeds are derived from a plant tina,
grows in the water somewhere. Pretty nearl,
every person who has ever found one has made
attempts at polishing it. The task is decidedly
arduous, beginning with the application OF
ssndpaper and winding up with gentle rub
bling between folds of channels skin to give the
maj brightness. Sailors devote much Of their
Tune to making various trinkets out OF sea
Deans which are most often seen adorninY
Watch guards. Many Of the Apaches and other
Indians transported to Florida have be en- set ia
work at preparing these vegetable curiosities
ior market, being thus supplied with a not too
iaDorious occupation such a. warriors could
pursue with proper dignity.
SEEDS OF PoD-BEARINa VINES.
AS matter of fact sea beans do not grow on
water plants at all The supposition is not an
unnatural one, considering the enormous GUAM
titles in which they are found along the Florida
shors and In diminishing numbers northward
seeds
several varieties of pod be airing vines which
hourish In the tropical regions of both hemis-
phefes Each pod, resembling an exaggerated
pea pod, contains number OF the ''beans "
these climbing plants are plentiful along the
snores or the Caribbean sea. Their seeds, fall
ing when ripe into the streams, are carried in
vast numbers into the great body of water
mentioned. whence they are conveyed by the
powerful current of the gulf stream around the
south end Of Florida and up the Atlantic coast.
Inc gull stream flows close by the east shore of
the Florida peninsula, and that is the reason
why so many of the beans are cast upon the
beaches In that region. Three varieties are
chlehy noted-one reddish ami fiat another
more round and gray and the third very much
piSSer ana OF u mahogany color. This last is
nearly worthless FOR ornamental purposes. 1t
Is doubtless AN entirely different species. but
no botanist ever having Investigated this sub
ject OF sea beans to any extent nothing further
IL known.
SEEDS IMMERSED IN WATER
This is one OF nature 3 most interesting meth
DDS of distributing plants through the world
by setting seeds ahoat. Darwin. who devoted
some attention to investigating the matter,
proved that many kinds of seeds will bear i'm
mersion ill water for 100 days, or oven more,
aud still retain their terminating power. SO
that when thrown ashore they are ready 10
sprout. Not few species, " hich will sink when
green float perfectly well If they have Glanced
to dry before falling into stream. In some
parts of the world. notably II the Malay arch-
peiago, vast quantities Of vegetable matter are
always floating about on the sea. On the Mo
iuccas the trees seem to dispute with the waves
OF ocean for the Possession OF spoil. Not only
are their roots and often portions o; their
trunks immersed i'll the water, but their branch
ing crowns incline in the same direction and al Z
bathed by the tides. thus, it Is not surprising
that the numerous currents of the MOlucca SEA
are charged with seaweeds, intermixed with
flowers, fruits, cocoanuts and nuts OF other
palms and even whole trees.
sIRASGE PLACES FOR SEEDS.
Much driftwood is thrown upon all islands,
even in the midst Of the widest oceans. The
natives OF the coral islands in the Pacific get
all their stones for tools fl ON the roots of
dristed trees. lrreSu!arly shaped stones thus
embedded i'll tree roots frequently inclJSe
small quantities of earth behind them, and
this earth usually coutainsoseeds which are
ready to sprOut. The carcasscs OF birds floating
on the water often carry seeds in their crops to
land. In the Malay archipelago cassowaries
swallow seeds and with the swiitness OF the
horse convey them for long distances undi-
gested. These birds are excellent swimmers
and sometimes traverse considerable expanses
OF water. Seeds o. grasses bear immersion ex-
celently. which fact accounts, in some meas
ure, for their wide distribution over the earth.