SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS 



15 



1. Central portion of one 

 of the flowers of 

 Hermannia Tex- 

 ana, showing the 

 seed rudiments. 



Bud 



II. SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS 



I. The seed carries within it a minute plant. The seed 

 originates in the flower, within an often globular or pod- 

 like structure (Fig. 1), which, 

 though generally the least 

 conspicuous of the floral 

 organs, may have attracted 

 the student's attention on 

 account of its central posi- 

 tion and peculiar form. This 

 receptacle may contain a 

 very great number of the 

 rudiments of the future 

 seeds, or only a few, or even 

 only one ; and may be the 



Seed vessel 



2. Buds, flowers, and ripened seed vessels 

 (fruit) of Hermannia Texana. 



sole seed-bearing part, or one of several in the same 

 flower. After the floral leaves with their wide expanse 

 and bright colors have performed the part they play in 

 the life of the flower, and have fallen away, this seed 

 receptacle enters upon a new period of its history. It 

 grows, often vigorously, and through alteration of form 



