58 THE FRUIT. 
ovule. In this case the ovule, or seed, is said to be orthotropous (erect), Ex. can- 
dleberry (Myrica). More generally, however, the funiculus (91) extends beyond 
the hilum, passing under the integuments partly around the nucleus, before it 
is joined to it. The point of this final juncture is always the chalaza, and that 
part of the funiculus which then intervenes between the hilum and the chalaza is 
called the raphe. This form of the ovule, or seed, is called anatropous (inverted), 
and is exemplified in the apple. The raphe can, therefore, exist only in the ana- 
tropous seed, and serves to distinguish it. (See Fig. 11; No’s 8 and 9.) 
_ 122. The Atsumen. Next within the integuments, there is a 
white substance called the albumen, consisting chiefly of starch. 
It constitutes the chief bulk of some seeds, as maize, wheat, 
rye, and serves to nourish the embryo in its nascent state. It 
abounds chiefly in those seeds which have but one cotyledon. 
It is wholesome and nutritious, even in poisonous plants. The 
albumen in some seeds is entirely wanting, particularly in the 
bean, pea, &c., the nutritious matter being all absorbed in the 
cotyledon. 
123. The EmBryo is an organized body, the rudiments of the 
young plant, situated within the integuments. To the growth 
of this all other parts of the seed are subservient. In some 
seeds the embryo is distinctly visible. Ex. bean, Convolvulus. 
124. The embryo is divided into three parts; the radicle, the 
plumule, and cotyledon. 
a. The radicle is the descending part of the embryo, destined | 
to form the root (radix). In respect to position, it always points 
towards the foramen. 
6. The pLuMvLE is the ascending part of the embryo, or the 
rudiment of the ascending axis of the future plant. It is usually 
directed towards the chalaza. 
125. The coryLepon is the bulky, porous, and farimaceous 
part of seeds, destined to form the first or seminal leaves of the 
young plant, as well as to afford nourishment to the plumule 
and radicle, before they can obtain it from the earth. In the 
bean, squash, cucumber, and most other plants, the cotyledons 
are conspicuous in rising above the ground. 
a. The number of cotyledons is variable; and upon this cir- 
cumstance is founded the most important and distinct division 
of the PH%: NoGamMIA, Of FLOWERING PLANTS. 
126. Monocotyledonous plants are those whose seeds have but one cotyledon, 
