18 LIFE OF A TREE. 
these two minute projections represent — the 
up-tending one is the future stem, and the de- 
scending one is the future root. The 
appearance of the seed with its two 
new appendages at this time may be 
thus represented. The terms used by 
botanists in speaking of the young stem 
crowing 2#2d young root are, respectively, the 
seeD. plumule and the radicle. Every day adds 
strength to the young plant. Its radicle goes deeper 
into the nurturing earth, and its little plumule 
struggles up steadily and bravely through the dark 
over-head, as though impatient to respond to the 
call which the busy world above was making for its 
appearance. Looking now upon the earth’s sur- 
face in the spot where a long while since we set 
the seed, we find it swelled and beginning to 
heave up and crack. If a little of it is gently 
removed, behold! the young plant is rising up, 
and in another day it has over-topped the soil, 
A pair of minute leaves become now visible; 
these extend themselves, spread out into the 
fresh air, and welcome the drops of rain, while 
the stem of the plant becomes stronger and 
stronger, and grows both thick and tall. The 
