dial rib-work of spokes like the frame of an umbrella; and from rib
to rib of this framework stretch feathery cross-pieces, continuous all
round, so as to make of the whole mechanism a perfect circular
parachute, resembling somewhat the web of a geometrical spider. But the
hairy hawkweed is still more cunning in its generation; for that clever
and cautious weed produces its seeds or fruits in clustered heads, of
which the central ones are winged, while the outer are heavy, squat,
and wingless. Thus does the plant make the best of all chances that may
happen to open before it: if one lot goes far and fares but ill, the
other is pretty sure to score a bull's-eye.

These are only a few selected examples of the infinite dodges employed
by enlightened herbs and shrubs to propagate their scions in foreign
parts. Many more, equally interesting, must be left undescribed. Only
for a single case more can I still find room--that of the subterranean
clover, which has been driven by its numerous enemies to take refuge at
last in a very remarkable and almost unique mode, of protecting its
offspring. This particular kind of clover affects smooth and
close-cropped hillsides, where the sheep nibble down the grass and
other herbage almost as fast as it springs up again. Now, clover seeds
resemble their allies of the pea and bean tribe in being exceedingly
rich in starch and other valuable foodstuffs. Hence, they are much
sought after by the inquiring sheep, which eat them off wherever found,
as exceptionally nutritious and dainty morsels. Under these
circumstances, the subterranean clover has learnt to produce small
heads of bloom, pressed close to the ground, in which only the outer
flowers are perfect and fertile, while the inner ones are transformed
into tiny wriggling corkscrews. As soon as the fertile flowers have
begun to set their seed, by the kind aid of the bees, the whole stem
bends downward, automatically, of its own accord; the little corkscrews
then worm their way into the turf beneath; and the pods ripen and
mature in the actual soil itself, where no prying ewe can poke an
inquisitive nose to grub them up and devour them. Cases like this point
in certain ways to the absolute high-water-mark of vegetable ingenuity:
they go nearest of all in the plant-world to the similitude of
conscious animal intelligence.

A DESERT FRUIT.

Who knows the Mediterranean, knows the prickly pear. Not that that