26 BEECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



seed contains a perfect germ within itself, not to be seen 

 perhaps without the aid of a microscope, but there it is, 

 "the seed (or bud) in itself" as perfect as that of the 

 bean, which is seen by the naked eye : Many seeds have a 

 ittost beautiful appearance when viewed by the microscope ; 

 for example, the quite small seed of Portulaca, when thus 

 examined, resembles some splendid sea shell, with all the 

 brilliancy of color, which graces some of these wonders of 

 the sea. 



By the sudden bursting of the capsule of some plants, 

 the seeds are scattered some distance around : such for in- 

 stance as Phlox, Lupin, and many others. The seed of 

 Asclepias, Thistle, and others, have a silky appendage, by 

 which they are wafted by the wind to distant parts of the 

 country. The seeds of the Maple and other plants and 

 trees are so constructed that they float upon the water and 

 thus find a lodgement upon the banks of a stream many 

 miles from their starting place ; others will not germinate 

 until they have passed through the stomach of a bird, and 

 such are deposited wherever the bird flies. Seeds buried 

 in the earth may remain many years, or ages, without ger- 

 minating, but when brought up by the plow to the surface 

 of the ground and exposed to the air, germinate and bring 

 forth a plentiful crop of weeds. The earth seems to be 

 full of seed. Earth taken from the bottom of deep wells 

 or mines, when exposed to the sun and air, often produces 

 vegetation. Some seeds when excluded from the air and 

 moisture, retain 'their vitality for almost an indefinite pe- 

 riod of time. 



It is often asked, how long will this or that variety of 

 seed retain its vitality. In answer to this inquiry, we re- 

 ply, that it depends very much as to the manner in which 

 seed was cured, and how it has been kept. We have tables 

 stating the length of time the different garden seeds may 

 be considered good. 



