VEGETABLE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION. 



ground, its two parts diverging and exhibiting between them a bud, which 

 develops a pair of green leaves with an intervening bud (Fig. 5). This 

 bud develops other leaves, and so on, the further upward growth of the 

 plant being but a repetition of the process. In the axils of the leaves 

 buds are also developed, and these grow in a manner similar to that of the 



main stem, so that the 

 plant assumes a more or 

 less symmetrical spread- 

 ing appearance. 



Returning now to that 

 portion of the seed which 

 elongates downward, we 

 observe that it branches 

 rapidly as it grows, but in 



FIG. 5. A bean with its first pair of true leaves, 

 bearing the seed-leaves above ground. 



,f 



FIG. 6. FIG. 7. FIG. 8. FIG. 9. 



FIG. 6. A kernel of Indian corn, showing the embryo. FIG. 7. The same, reverse side. FlG. 8. The 

 same after germination. FIG. 9. Indian corn with its first leaves. 



an irregular, unsymmetrical manner, differing widely in this respect from 

 the ascending portion, whose branches are axillary and regular. We 

 note also the absence of buds and green color. 



The downward growth of the plant keeps pace, to a certain extent, 

 with its upward development. Apart from the physiological functions of 

 the roots, the mechanical support which they yield to the stem requires 

 that their development should be proportionate to its growth. 



Taking a kernel of Indian corn as another example, we shall find that 



