t THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



scarlet runner {Phaseohis miiltifloriis) has several points of 

 interest, chief of which is the fact that its cotyledons do not 

 come out of the soil in germination. They may be planted 

 at the very surface of the soil and will afford excellent objects 

 for comparison with other kinds of beans. Horse beans 

 {Vicia faba equina) do not seem to be of any greater value 

 and are not always easy to obtain. Although we have cau- 

 tioned the teacher against wasting time on seeds, the introduc- 

 tion at this point of a different seed exactly like the first in 

 structure cannot be considered time lost. The beginner learns 

 slowly and needs to get the structure firmly in mind. When 

 he understands the make-up of the bean embryo he may be 

 given a dicot seed with endosperm, such as the castor-bean. 

 This may be boiled a few minutes to soften the parts. In all 

 beginning work it is difficult to get seeds that are large enough 

 to meet the requirements of the clumsy novice. It is there- 

 fore suggested that in ordering costor beans the variety 

 zansiharensis be specified. If a second example of a dicot 

 seed with endosperm is wanted the four-o'clock seed may be 

 used. The morning-glory seed often recommended is rather 

 too small for good work with high school pupils. The castor- 

 bean and four o'clock have one drawback — they lack a 

 plumule. A seed which will show all parts of the embroyo in 

 addition to the endosperm is that of the honey locust (Gledit- 

 schia triacanthos) . It is also large enough to enable the be- 

 ginner to see all parts clearly. A seed of this type should cer- 

 tainly be used. They may be purchased from J. M. Thorburn 

 & Co., New York, or collected from the trees themselves. 

 They are to be found in most localities. Boil for a few minutes 

 before using. 



A grain of corn is the time-honored illustration of the 

 monocot seed ; in fact it would be difficult to get another half 

 so good, size and clearness of structure considered. It pre- 

 sents no special difficulties except to the few sticklers for exact- 



