The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-09-26

would leave a mark they would be
likely to remember the rest Of the
day. This is the effective way the
sand-box tree, or monkeys dinner
bell' (hura), takes to scatter its
seeds so that when the new plants
grow up they will not be crowded
together on exhausted soil. Many
other plants have such "sling-fruits, -
which burst violently when they are
ripe and jerk the seeds out to a con-
siderable distance. Examples are the
wood-sorrel and pancy.
This explosive method is only one
Of the ways by which plants SOW
their seeds in fresh soil. Many
seeds. or the fruits enclosing them.
are especially adapted for transport
by wind The fruit Of the Eastwood
has a wing which acts like a
parachute, sailing along with the
breeze and carrying the fruit with
it. Dandelions and thistles grow
tufts of soft hairs, which float on
the merest breath Of air. Others
have wings circular or paddle
shaped, like the elm-fruit or the
keys" Of maple, ash and tulip tree,
which twirl in the air or fall like a
stone according to their design.
Other seeds are so light that they
are blown about like dust. Again,
the seed heads, or even the whole
plant, as In the tumble weed, twists
itself into a globular basket, IN.
closing the seed-pods, and rolls be-
fore the wind, carrying and scatter.
ing the seed broadcast over the
countryside.
The fruits Of many plants growing
in or near the water, are provided
with life-preservers in the shape of
air-filled coats, or bladder-like floats,
to enable them to travel on the
current. The tough shell OF the
cocoanut is water-tight and buoyant,
and it drifts in the sea uninjured,
from tropical beach to,beach.
Even birds and animals are com.
PEELED to act IS seed carriers. Grasp
ing hairs, barbed and sharp and
hooked spin es fasten seeds to their
coats like burrs," or are troddden
upon, and often are carried long dis
tances before the annoyed beast can
rid itself Of them. Mud dried on
the shanks Of waterfowl has its
quota of small seeds.
1t is to attract hungry creatures,
especially birds, that seeds are often
sunk in the flesh Of luscious gaily.
colored fruits. Sometimes this is so
sticky that the seeds are smeared
on the beaks to be wiped off and
planted far away, as in the mistle-
toe; sometimes the seeds, as in the
case of cherry pits. have coats so
hard as to pass through the crea-
lures digestive organs uninjured.
On the other hand, these plant
friends must be kept from attack
ing the young seeds and carrying
them off before the proper time.
This Is done by many effective de.
vices. The unripe flesh Of edible
fruits, for example, is too green and
hard or sour to tempt: the thick
husks of walnuts are filled with
tannin; citrus fruits bear burning
oils in their skins. Other fruits, or
the bracts inclosing them, are
armed with sharp prickles and
spines, as we are painfully aware
when we handle a chestnut burr or
a thistle head. Moreover, the food
provided within the seed for the In
FAINT plant is often rendered unpala-
table by bitter and curious flavors,
some Of which we have come to like.
as those of chocolate and coffee. M.
tritious starches and useful oils and
drugs are found there also, and
even poisons.