Observations of a Naturalist in the Pacific Between 1896 and 1899, Volume 2 Plant-Dispersal
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