CHAPTER V. 



HAZEL NUTS 

 Germination and the Seedlings. 



HAZEL Nuts have so many features in common with 

 Acorns that a detailed account of the seedlings 

 would seem to be unnecessary. 



In one respect, however, this seed differs from the Acorn, 

 it does not spht into two halves, unless under pressure. 



The first sign of germination, i.e., the early protrusion 

 of the radicle, presented, when the seed was cut in longitu- 

 dinal section, the following appearance. 



The dark part is the radicle, the oval nearly surrounding 

 it the collar, while more of the space within seems to be 

 filled by the cotyledons than was the case with the Acorn. 



Here also the cotyledons never leave the seed. 



The first seedling examined was after a period of seven 

 months, from the time of potting, had elapsed. The seed 

 had been potted in a horizontal position and the plant 

 had much the same aspect as that of a young oak of similar 

 development, except that the plumule was sturdier and 

 the radicle thinner and not quite so long. The leaves were 

 bright with chlorophyll but from a point immediately 

 below them and extending to within f-inch of the seed 

 the plumule was red in colour and from that, I argue, of 

 delicate constitution. Further leaves were in course of 

 formation and the buds were borne on stalks, whereas in 

 the Acorn they sit closer to the stem. 



