DIVISION in. 



LIFE OF THE PLANT. 



CHAPTER L 

 GERMINATION. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Having traced the composition of vegetation from its 

 ojtimate elements to the proximate organic compounds, 

 and studied its structure in the simple cell as well as in tho 

 most highly developed plant, and, as far as needful, explain 

 ed the characters and functions of its various organs, we 

 approach the- subject of VEGETABLE LIFE and NUTRITION, 

 and are ready to inquire how the plant increases in bulk and 

 weight and produces starch, sugar, oil, albuminoids, etc., 

 v.-hich constitute directly or indirectly almost the entire 

 food of animals. 



The beginning of the individual plant is in the seed, at 

 the moment of fertilization by the action of a pollen tube 

 on the contents of the embryo-sack. Each embryo whoso 

 development is thus ensured, is a plant in miniature, or 

 rather an organism that is capable, under proper circum 

 stances, of unfolding into a plant. 

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