98 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. ,"Ch. XVI. 



anJ apparently dead seed, can bring forth a fresh and beautifu! 

 plant, can also from the ruins of our mortal bodies produce a 

 new and glorious body, and unite it to the immortal spirit by 

 ties never to be separated. 



Germination, 



406. The process of the shooting forth of the young plant 

 from the seed is termed Germination. 



407. The principal of life contained in the seed does not 

 usually become active, until the seed is placed in circumstances 

 favourable to vegetation. 



408. When a seed is committed to the bosom of the earth, 

 its various parts soon begin to swell by absorbing moisture. 

 A chymical action then commences : oxygen from the air 

 \nites to the carbon of the seed, and cariies it off in the form 

 of carbonic acid gas. 



409. As the carbon of the cotyledons continues to diminish, 

 and oxygen is produced in excess, a sweet, sugar-like sub- 

 stance is formed ; this is conveyed to the embryo, which by its 

 new nourishment is kindled into active life ; from this period 

 we may date the existence of the young plant. Bursting 

 through the coats which surround it, and which are already en- 

 feebled by their loss of carbon, the embryo emerges from its 

 prison, the radicle shoots downward, and the plume rises up- 

 wards. We say then that the seed has corne up or sprouted. 



410. Fig. 67 represents a young dicotyledonous plant, with 

 its radicle, a, developed ; its plume, 6, is yet scarcely percepti- 

 ble; its cotyledons, c, appear in the form of large, succulent 

 soed-leaves. 



406. What is germination 1 



407. What is necessary tor the vegetation of the seed 7 



408. What changes occur when the seed is placed in the earth 1 



409. What kindles the embryo into active life? 



410. What does Fig. G7 represent 1 



