CHAPTER VI. 



HORSE-CHESTNUTS 



GERMESrATION AND THE SeBDLUJCHS 



WE may now be supposed to have potted the " Conker ** 

 described in Chapter II., under conditions favour- 

 able to germination. If, however, we had been able to 

 dissect it beforehand we should have noticed a knob-shaped 

 piece inside much like the end of a dumb-bell. 



^noh. 



/v^.^J 



In this knob, so far as I could see, the embryo radicle 

 and plumule and the attachment of the cotyledons appeared 

 to be esconced. It is difficult to even guess at the shape 

 and presentment of the latter, as, with those of the Acorn, 

 the Hazel Nut and the Walnut which never leave the seed 

 or the shell they live out their life underground. It would 

 seem, however, that their shape is similar to that of the 

 seed and that they lie close to its sides for the reason that 

 at a certain stage of development the middle part invariably 

 falls out if the seed is cut in section. 



The first seed was sown in a pot on the 8th of October 

 and showed its first leaves above soil on the 8th of April ; 

 an interval of just six months. 



It is a red letter day in the history of the seedhng because 

 it for the first time commenced an independent existence 

 as a 'plant. 



