PARTS OF SEEDS: THE SQUASH OR PUMPKIN 



II 



are very similar when we consider the relation of the food sub- 

 stance to the cotyledons and the function of the latter in absorp- 

 tion of this stored food. In the bean and pea the endosperm is 

 absorbed by the cotyledons during the formation of the seed. It 



^* " . - .-_-.. 



Fig. 13. 



Seedlings of castor-oil bean casting the seed coats, and showing papery remnant of the 

 endosperm. 



is stored in the cotyledons as food for the embryo during germina- 

 tion and the early stage of the seedling. 



THE SQUASH OR PUMPKIN. 



14. Form and structure of the seed. The seed is flattened 

 and nearly elliptical in outline. The seed coats are hard and 

 dry. The micropylar end is slightly protruded. The " shell" 

 formed of the seed coats can be split into two halves exposing the 



