414 



ON SEEDLINGS 



maturity. The hairy perianth serves to retain the fruit in the ground 

 during germination so that the cotyledons are able in most cases to 

 pull themselves out, clear of everything. When the seed has been 

 rubbed out of the perianth before sowing, the testa is usually 

 earned up. If this happens the cotyledons are then left to their 

 own resources in making their exit, and by growth in length are 

 able to push themselves out and then spreading open to receive the 

 light ; the testa is often carried away on one cotyledon. The testa 

 splits vertically a little way, and although it gapes somewhat it con- 

 tinues to hold on to the tip of the cotyledon for some time. 



Seedling (fig. 606). 



FIG. 606. 



Primary root tapering, fibrous, normal. 



Hypocotyl erect, terete, glabrous, almost 

 colourless, 1-2-1-6 cm. long. 



Cotyledons at first lanceolate-oblong, 

 obtuse, entire, glabrous, somewhat convex 

 above and curved or Arched, light green, 

 sessile on germination and 1-25 mm. long, 

 ultimately oblong-linear from 3'5-8 mm. 

 long, 1-25 mm. wide, and shortly petio- 

 late. 



Stem herbaceous, procumbent, terete, 

 scabrous or rough with little points ; 1st 

 internode undeveloped ; 2nd short, 1-5 mm. 

 long. 



Leaves simple, entire, radical and cau- 

 line, opposite, stipulate, petiolate, with an 

 indistinct midrib best seen on the under 

 side, unequally developed (one in advance 

 of the other) ; petioles plano-convex or bi- 

 convex, short ; stipules small, toothlike, 

 scarious, minutely ciliate. 



First and second pairs spathulate-linear, 

 obtuse, tapering to the base, rough on the 

 midrib beneath, or raised into little tuber- 



Herniaria hirsuta, x 2. c i eSj m0 re or less hairy. 



