SEEDS OF THE BUCKWHEAT AND FLAX TYPE 



59 



endosperm. Another feature to be noted is that the embryo 



has two cotyledons. 



In external characters they vary so much that their type in 



most cases can be determined only by an examination of their 



structure. In size, those most commonly 



grown in our region vary from the smallest 



of the Clover Seeds up to the largest of 



the Beans. They are kidney-shaped, glob- 

 ular, oval, or flattened. Among them vari- 

 ous colors such as red, purple, brown, 



yellow, green, mottled, and black occur. 



In identifying the different seeds of this 



type, especially those of the Bean family, 



size, shape, and color are important aids. 

 In importance, the seeds of this type 



rank next to those of the Grass family. In 



Beans, Peas, and Peanuts, which are used 



directly as food, the value depends upon 



the protein, fats, and starches stored in the seed sectioned longitudi 

 embryo. In the nally. B, Apple seed 

 ^>5''^"^ 0*^N Cotton seed sectioned longitudinally. 



■, , , 1 e, embryo. B much more 



bothembryo , j^, . 

 "^ enlarged than A . 



and seed coat 



are valuable structures. The embryo 

 is rich in oil from which many useful 

 products are made, while the hairs of 

 the seed coat are the Cotton fibers 

 of commerce. (Fig. 64-) The seeds 

 of Clover and Alfalfa are important 

 liecause the plants which bear them 

 Fig. 64. — Section through increase the soil fertility and are valu- 

 a Cotton seed showing the able for hay and forage. 



A B 



Fig. 63.— a, Squash 





embryo with its much folded 

 cotyledons, and the seed coat 

 with the seed hairs. Enlarged 

 about twice. 



Seeds of the Buckwheat and Tomato 

 Type. — Some common seeds of this 

 type are those of the Buckwheat, Beet, 

 Tomato, Potato, Tobacco, Red Pep- 

 per, Coffee, Flax, and Castor-oil plant. The type is common to 

 a number of families, which contain some useful plants and many 

 weeds, such as Nightshades, Spurges, Morning Glories, Bind- 

 weeds, Dodders, Milkweeds, Docks, Smartweeds, and Corn Cockle. 



