IS SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



The embryo consists ot an axis and a scutellum. The axis, 

 which is differentiated into the plumule directed upward and 

 the radicle downward, is small and straight and it is covered 

 more or less by the edges of the scutellum. The scutellum is 

 attached to the axis at about its middle and its outer surface is in 

 contact with the endosperm. This is an important organ as its 

 function is to absorb nourishment from the endosperm during 

 germination. The scutellum is considered to represent the first 

 leaf or cotyledon. The endosperm consists mostly of starch. Just 

 outside the endosperm and within the epidermis lies a layer of 

 cells containing much proteid substance. This layer is called the 

 alcurone layer. (See fig. 21.) As an illustration of the caryopsis. 

 the grain of Andropogon Sorghum may be studied. All the struc- 

 tural details are shown in fig. 20 which is a longitudinal section 

 of the grain. 



The primary axis of the embryo is enclosed by a closed sheath 

 both above and below. The sheath which envelopes the radicle is 

 called coleorhiza and that of the plumule, pileole or germ- 

 sheath. 



