FEBRUARY. 47 



Seed placed under certain conditions grows : the embryo en- 

 larges and bursts its covering, elevating one point into the air, and 

 pushing the other, the root-point, into the earth : sufficient moisture, 

 and heat, and air are needful to germination. The ripe seed is 

 charged with carbon, which is essential to its preser^^ation ; but this 

 is an obstacle to its growth, and is removed by union mth the oxy- 

 gen of the water, which the seed absorbs and decomposes, forming 

 carbonic acid, the hydrogen, the other constituent of water, being 

 fixed in the tissue ; this chemical change is favoured by the seed 

 being covered from the light. The moisture also softens and ex- 

 pands the parts of the seed, rendering the pabulous matters soluble 

 and fit for the vital principle to assimilate ; but moisture is not the only 

 requisite : a certain amount of heat, according to the nature of each 

 kind of seed, is also needful; and this, in connexion with the mois- 

 ture, excites the vitality of the seed, and causes it to germinate, 

 pushing its roots into the earth and raising its seed-leaves into the 

 air, where the light enables them to perform the processes needful to 

 the growth of the plant, in the formation of additional organs. 



The sowing of seeds belongs to the cu^t rather than to the theory 

 of floriculture ; but we may remark that the soil should be such as 

 suits the growth of the particular plant, and if stiff, should be ren- 

 dered lighter by the admixture of sand or vegetable mould, or both, 

 to permit the seeds to break the ground more easily: it should not 

 be very rich ; and in case of sowing in pots, it is well to use a large 

 quantity of drainage, so that the seed may be kept moist without 

 danger of stagnant water. The depth at which seed should be sown 

 varies greatly, some bearing a good thick covering, and others re- 

 quiring to be scarcely covered at all. The manner of so^ving seeds, 

 that is the position they are laid in the earth, is in general unim- 

 portant; and it has been said by Dr. Lindley, in his Theory of Hor- 

 ticulture (a work to which I am greatly indebted, and of Avhich I 

 should be glad to see a new edition, with the needful emendations and 

 additions, and especially with a comprehensive table and chapter on 

 climate), " that no known power can prevent a seed thrusting its 

 root into the ground, and elevating its leaves into the air;" and yet 

 the seed of the Pelargonium appears to be provided in the spiral tail 

 of its capsule, or husk, with an apparatus for the purpose of deposit- 

 ing it in the ground, with its point downwards ; and I have often 

 seen Pelargonium-seeds, when promiscuously soAvn, push the radicle, 

 or root-point, upwards into the air ; so that I conclude that this seed 

 is in itself deficient in this power, and is dependent upon the form 

 of its capsule for being properly deposited in the earth. 



Omicron. 



