MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 25 



Fig. 49. Longitudinal Section of a Seed (Malope grandi- 

 flora), x30. 



This drawing has been made to illustrate the chief parts in 

 the composition of a seed. The outer skin or testa is repre- 

 sented by the dark dotted outer part of the drawing ; the 

 inner skin or tegmen by the lighter part next to the testa ; 

 inside this, represented by the parallel lines with cross mark- 

 ings, is the seed proper, consisting of the young embryo 

 plant, or the life-centre of the seed. The structure and 

 shapes of seeds form a remarkably interesting subject for 

 investigation : for examples of seed-forms, see figs. 45 and 46. 

 The best plan to prepare sections of minute seeds is to imbed 

 them in softened gutta percha, let it harden, arid then to cut 

 sections with a fine scalpel. The sections may be mounted 

 in liquid or in Canada balsam. 



Fig. 50. Section of Seed called "Grains of Paradise" 

 (Amomum Grana-Paradi'si) , x 200. 



The structure of this seed, as shown by the drawing, con- 

 sists of layers of albumen interspersed with the oily or fatty 

 matter, of which the seed contains a large amount. On re- 

 ferring to the drawing, many globules of fat will be seen. 



The albumen varies much as to quantity in the different 

 seeds taken from a pod of this plant. 



The albumen (or, as it is sometimes called, the perisperm) 

 of seeds must not be confounded with the chemical substance 

 albumen, which is found nearly pure in the white of eggs &c. 



Grains of Paradise are much used by publicans and others 

 in the adulteration of beer. 



