CHAPTER IX

THE GERMINATION OF FLOATING SEEDS

Germination in the floating seed-drift of tropical estuaries.—A strain of vivipary.—Abortive germination of seeds in warm seas.—A barrier to plant dispersal.—The borderland of vivipary.—Summary

Pages [76-87]

CHAPTER X

THE RELATION OF THE BUOYANCY OF SEEDS AND SEEDVESSELS TO THE DENSITY

OF SEA-WATER

The general principles concerned.—The subject assumes a statistical character.—Seeds and seedvessels are as a rule either much heavier than sea-water or much lighter than fresh water.—The present littoral plants with buoyant seeds or seedvessels could be equally well dispersed by currents in oceans of fresh water.—Seed-buoyancy has no relation either in the present or in the past to the density of the sea.—Though an accidental attribute, the specific weight of seeds has had a profound influence on plant-distribution.—Summary

Pages [88-98]

CHAPTER XI