144: THE FIRST BOOK OF BOTANY. 



Has it a seed-coat ? Is there a kernel or body 

 within the seed-coat ? 



Try a pumpkin-seed. Compare the coat of a 

 pumpkin-seed with that of the pea or bean. 



Are they alike in thickness ? in hardness ? in 

 color? in transparency? Name all the differences 

 you see between them. 



In the same way, take up and examine, one after 

 another, some seeds from each of the rows. Find 

 their parts, and compare the parts of one kind of seed 

 with those of another kind. 



If you are not able at first readily to separate a 

 seed into distinct portions, do not hastily conclude 

 that it is without them. Let it lie in its warm, wet 

 bed a while longer, and then try again.* 



JSTow write in your note-book just what you have 

 discovered about the parts of seeds. For instance : 

 if at the top of the first page you have written ~becm, 

 on the line beneath you now write the question, 

 Parts ? and the answer which you have found to this 

 question thus : 



Parts f Seed-coat. Body. Coat, thin, skinny 

 or, on the page devoted to the apple-seed, you write 



* Much that is important in their experiments, children will 

 fail to see, and they will fancy they see much that does not 

 exist. Their omissions, misinterpretations, and difficulties, can 

 be dealt with in many ways, but a desire on the part of the 

 teacher for nicety of experiment, and accuracy of statement, 

 should never lead to discouraging criticism. To keep the child 

 happily busy with his growing plants is the main thing, and 

 all degrees of awkwardness and imperfection in childish per- 

 formance should be tolerated. 



