4:2 THE SPRI2^G BEAUTY. 



we shall find within its cell 3 or G young seeds {ovules). Here 

 also, as in the pistil of Erythronium, are clear indications of 

 tri-unity. 



The F^?^it, While the ovary is growing and ripening 

 into fruit, it is attended and protected by the persistent 

 calyx (8); but the corolla, stamens and style are early decid- 

 uous. The fruit is finally a dry seed-box or capsule (8), 

 opening by 3 valves, and disclosing 3 or more black, sliining, 

 lens-shaped seeds (9). 



The Seed, Here again we come to the ultimate product 

 of the plant. The seed contains the curved embryo (10) — 

 the young plant slumbering in its cradle. Surrounding it is 

 a white mass of albumen'^ {alius, white), a storehouse of 

 food provided for the sustenance of the young plant after 

 awaking and before its roots can draw nourishment from 

 the soil. Mark here the structure of the embryo (in con- 

 trast with that of Erythronium), how it is curved, and cleft 

 at the upper end into two equal seed-lobes, or cotyledons,\ 



^lan of the J^lojper, — 'V\iQ diagram (1) indicates 

 the relative position of the organs as they stand on the torus; 

 first, the 2 sepals ; 2d, the 5 petals ; 3d, the 5 stamens oppos- 

 ing the petals ; 4th, the ovary — 3 in 1. Why then is this 

 flower unsymmetrical? Why is it 5-parted ? 



*/^siivaHo7i, — This diagram also shows how the enve- 

 lopes are folded in the bud, that is, their cestivation {(Bstivus, 

 in summer) ; the buds themselves will show it much better. 

 The margins do not exactly meet, but overlie each other like 



* By a wise provision, th^ albumen is deposited in the form of starch, which is 

 insoluble in water, or else the first rain might dissolve and waste the young plant's 

 inheritance. There is, however, laid up also in the seed a bit o^ ferment called gluten. 

 By the action of moisture this will slowly change the starch to sugar ; and that being 

 soluble can be used by the tiny shoot as it needs. (See Chemistry, pp. 1S4 and 194.) 



t The ovules in the cut 6 are growing erect from the base of the cell ; (7) shows 

 an ovule more advanced, with its stalk (funiculus). Comparing this with (10), it is 

 evident that the ovule in gro-wiug bent over on itself, bringing its apex near its base. 



