HAZEL NUTS 



87 



The root development was very profuse and the extremities 

 of the filaments were bare of cuticle. The seed had split 

 and it having been potted horizontally it was seen that 

 the upper half had diminished in size and had lost most 

 of its membrane, while the lower half was as fresh and as 

 large as when the seed was potted. The radicle had curled 

 over the seed before descending — owing, no doubt, to some 

 obstruction. It was then drawn. 



The main stem (plumule) is on the left in the sketch, 

 and the upper half of the seed exhibits the swelling which 

 was so noticeable in the Acorn and which, I suppose, is 

 a cotyledon. 



Further experiments might have been productive of 

 interest. Both with the Acorn and the Hazel Nut it has, 

 I think, been made quite clear that growth, as well as flow 

 of current, is along the line of least resistance. Something 

 or other, however, intervened and I was unable to observe 

 the further progress of these seedlings. 



