The Plantlet. 



35 



pits of the plum, peach and cherry, the enlarging plant- 

 let is often unable to burst the seed-case, hence germi- 

 nation cannot take place unless assisted by the expand- 

 ing power of frost, or long exposure to moisture which 

 softens the seed-case, or unless the seed-case is cracked 

 before the seeds are planted (36). 



44. The Roots promptly start, as the hypocotyl 

 emerges from the seed-case the main (primary) root 

 from its point, and the branch (lateral) roots from its 



FIG. 8. Plantlet FIG. 9. Plantlet FIG. 10. Plantlet FIG. 11. Plantlet 

 of pumpkin. of bean. of Indian corn. of pea. 



In the pumpkin and bean, the seed-leaves (cotyledons) are 



lifted above the surface cf the soil in germination. 



In the pea, the cotyledons are not lifted above the surface of 



the soil in germination. 



side. Sometimes root-hairs (100) may be distinctly 

 seen, especially when seeds germinate in the seed-tester 

 (38). 



By studying Figs. 8 to 11, we may learn more of the 

 germinating process. 



45. The Cotyledons (co-ty-le'-dons). In the bean 

 and pumpkin, the seed, or what remains of it, seems to 



