June in 



small space to account, some very simple experiments 

 which will be both interesting and instructive. 



The early growth of a seed is seldom observed, 

 because the process goes on underground, and there- 

 fore out of our sight ; but by planting about a 

 dozen broad beans in moist earth and taking them 

 carefully up from time to time, we 

 shall then see how they become 

 plants. In a week's time we shall 

 find that out of the dark spot on 

 the bean a root is pushing out 

 into the soil ; the tip is protected 

 by what is called a root-cap ; it 

 has to make its way through stones 

 and earth particles, and as it wears 

 away it is always being renewed 

 from within. A little later we shall 

 find that a shoot, called a plumule, 

 is making its way up to the surface 

 to reach the light. The growing 

 point of this shoot is very tender, 

 and as the existence of the plant 

 depends upon its being uninjured 

 it is protected in a curious way. 



f DIAGRAM OF GROWING 



The plumule is curved, as shown in BROAD BEAN. 



the drawing, and the bowed part 



of the stem docs the rough work of pushing through 



the earth until it reaches the .surface ; then the stem 



straightens, and the plumule grows on into a young 



bean-plant. 



A horse-chestnut and an acorn will show the early 

 growth of two of our great forest trees. These can 

 be grown very well in damp moss, which will enable 

 us to watch the growth of the first shoot, until it 



