214 



PLANT STRUCTURES 



is a very indefinite one, so far as the structures it includes 

 are concerned. It is simply an effect which follows fer- 

 tilization, and involves more or less of the structures adja- 



Fig. 190. Fruit of nutmeg {Myristica) : A, section of fruit, showing seed within the 

 heavy wall ; B, section of seed, showing peculiar convoluted and hard endosperm 

 (m) in which an embryo (ri) is imbedded. — After Berg and Schmidt. 



cent to the seeds. As has been seen, this effect may extend 

 only to the ovary wall, or it may include the calyx, or it 

 may be specially directed toward the 

 receptacle, or it may embrace a whole 

 flower-cluster. It is what is called a 

 physiological effect rather than a defi- 

 nite morphological structure. 



117. Germination of the seed. — It 

 has been pointed out (§ 103) that the 

 so-called "germination of the seed" 

 is not true germination like that of 

 spores. It is the awakening and es- 

 cape of the young sporophyte, which 

 has long before passed through its 

 germination stage. 



By various devices seeds are sepa- 

 rated from the parent plant, are dis- 

 persed more or less widely, and find 

 lodgment. If the lodgment is suitable, there are many 

 devices for burial, such as twisting stalks and awns, bur- 



Fig. 191. Fruit of straw- 

 berry, showing the per- 

 sistent calyx, and the en- 

 larged pulpy receptacle 

 in which numerous sim- 

 ple and dry fruits (a- 

 kenes) are imbedded. — 

 After Bailby. 



