THE PISTIL. 115 



The surfaces of seeds may be smooth, striated, ribbed, 

 furrowed, netted, and tubercular, as shown in the follow- 

 ing figures : 



Seeds are said to be definite when few and constant in 

 number ; indefinite when numerous and variable. 



FIG. 359. 

 Ribbed. 



FIG. 360. 



Netted. 



FIG. 361. 

 Tuberculous. 



FIG. 362. 

 Furrowed. 



Seeds are solitary when single in the ovary, or in a cell 

 of the ovary. 



The albumen of seeds is the mass of tissue in which 

 the embryo is imbedded. It is said to be mealy when it 

 may be readily broken down into a starchy powder ; oily, 

 when loaded with oil ; mucilaginous, when tough, swelling 

 up readily in water ; and horny , when hard, and more or 

 less elastic. 



EXERCISE LII. 

 Parts of the Seed. 



Prepare for the study of the parts of seeds by planting 

 all the kinds of seeds that you can get that are large 

 enough for easy examination. 



The seeds of the pumpkin, squash, four-o'clock, bean, 

 pea, apple, Indian corn, oats, and barley, are good exam- 



