SEEDS AND FRUITS 167 



II. The grains or seeds. 



Place a number of seeds in moist earth ten days 



before the observations are to be made, and 



a few in water a day beforehand. Examine 



the soaked seeds, and note : — 



a. The forms, size and outward appearance. 



Compare the two broader sides. 

 h. Remove the outer membrane which covers 

 the seed. This is composed not only of 

 the two seed-coats, but also of layers 

 from the walls of the ovary, which it 

 would be impossible to separate without 

 the use of methods which need the com- 

 pound microscope. 



c. The seed is composed of two parts : the 



embryo, which occupies the space under 

 the whitish area on one side, and the 

 mass of endosperm, or stored food. 



d. Examine the endosperm, and test with a 



drop of iodine. It is this portion of the 

 grain that is chiefly used for food by man. 



III. The embryo. 



Remove the entire embryo from a softened 

 grain, and note : — 



