HOW THE "WILD FLOWERS GEOW. 25 



clammy juice, to retain the pollen-grains. These 

 grains absorb the exuded fluid, swell out, and finally 

 emit delicate tubes, which penetrate the style, and con- 

 vey the fertilizing fluid to the ovules in the germcn 

 or ovary. Then the miniature plant begins to be 

 formed, and the ovules are gradually transformed into 

 seed. The flowers fade, the leaves wither, and the 

 plant dies ; but as it does so it becomes an object of 

 still deeper admiration. Each part which has fulfilled 

 its mission disappears. The new vitality which is es- 

 tablished in the ovary absorbs all the vegetative power 

 of the plant. The radish, garden pea, and numerous 

 other well-known plants show this process. The seed- 

 pod is but the enlarged ovary which starts out of the 

 calyx, and as the seed ripens the plant dies. If we 

 take up the seed and open it, we shall see the seed- 

 leaves or cotyledons, the eye or helium, and the embryo 

 or heart. If you take a bean, and leave it in a damp 

 place until it begins to sprout, you will be able to see 

 how beautifully each part fulfils its mission, and pre- 

 pares to enter on its life's career. 



To enable it to do this under the most favourable 

 circumstances, the seed-vessel is so organized that the 

 seeds may be dispersed. The dandelion and the thistle 



