OF GERMINATION. 



97 



198. In the next stage of growtli 

 (Fig. 320) the two stalks of the cotyle- 

 dons (<§, petioles, Less. I.), make their 

 appearance, and from between them, at 

 the top of the rootlet, the plumnle 

 elioots forth, a little stem with a bnd 

 at the top, directing its course up- 

 wards. The rootlet, meanwhile, has 

 grown longer, entered the soil, and 

 divided itself into branches and fibres 

 all covered over with fine white hairs. 

 These hairs, called fibrils, may be 

 seen under a microscope, as in Fig. 

 322, which represents the end of a 

 fibre of Maple with its fibi'ils much 

 magnified. 



199. Up to this stage, the growing rootlet and bud have 

 drawn all their nourishment from the store of food laid up 

 beforehand in the thick cotyledons for this very purpose ; but 

 now the rootlet has reached the soil, and by means of its 

 numerous fibrils, which are so many little mouths, it is begin- 

 ning to draw its nourishment from the earth. 



200. Another acorn, or the same one a few days later 

 (Fig. 321), shows root and stem well organized, and the young 

 Oak fairly started on its grand journey of growth and life. 

 The root has descended deeper and spread its branches wider 



Fig. 322. The extreme enc' 

 of a rootlet of Maple, grcatl.-? 

 magnified under a lens, show- 

 ing the fibrils. 



196. What is tlie meaning of the word germination ? Describe the section 

 of an acorn in Fig, 318. 



197. Describe that stage of growth seen in Fig. 319. 



198. Describe the third stage, as represented in Fig. 320. 



199. The first source of food for the embryo? the second? 



200. How does the plant appear in Fig. 321 ? 



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