THE SEED 87 



stores of food become exhausted ; the independent life 

 of the plant begins when the activity of the leaves 

 becomes apparent ; but in order that this may happen, 

 the leaves must be exposed to the action of light, in the 

 absence of which they will never become green, but will 

 remain yellow and unhealthy. Thus we have finally 

 one more peculiarity of the period of germination ; 

 during its course the plant is completely independent 

 of light, and does not require it ; this is why that period 

 can be passed in total darkness, underneath the soil. 

 But the independent life of the plant starts with the first 

 ray of light which falls on its leaf ; it then begins to 

 develop new organs at the expense of surrounding 

 inorganic compounds instead of from food stored up 

 within itself. The decrease in weight diminishes and 

 soon passes into an increase. Assimilation of matter 

 begins. 



