132 



THE SEED 



section of the latter as slender veins, giving us the so-called Ruminated 

 Albumin (Fig. :599). 



The Albumin. — The albumin is characterized chiefly by its con- 

 sistency, being bony, as in the ivory nut and date; horny, as in nux 

 vomica; oily, as in the castor-bean and cacao; fleshy, mealy, etc. In 

 sectioning the seed, note should be taken of the presence, number, 

 position and forms of any cavities which may exist in it. 



The Embryo. — The embryo calls for the most thorough and minute 

 study as a basis for systematic work, though for the pharmacognosist 

 only the more important details of its general structure need be con- 

 sidered. It has already been stated that it consists of one or more 

 phytomers. 



4U2 



Fig. 400. Circinate embryo of Campoma^H'.sfVi: /(, radicle; ca, caulicle- fo<, cotyledons. 401. Section 

 through seed of Gynocardia. 402. Centric curved embryo of Gynocramhe. 403. Centric straight embryo 

 of Frankeaia. 404. Germinating monocotyledonous embryo. 405. Embryo of Dipteryx with pinnatifid 

 plumule (pO- 406. Polycotyledonous embryo. 



The Caulicle. — The chain of cells first formed is the pro-embryo, and 

 this is supposed to act in transferring nourishment to the embryo. 

 At its end, next to the cotyledons, develops the first internode of the 

 coming plant, and this becomes the caulicle (m in Figs. 400 to 403), 

 in old works denominated the "radicle." 



