SEEDS 55 



ities of a castor bean, making mention of the number and 

 character of its seed leaves and the place where food is stored. 

 Suggestion. Study seeds of morning-glory, four-o'clock, 

 and buckwheat. Soak them well, and study them, using 

 a magnifying glass. 



41. SEEDS WITH ONE SEED LEAF 



Object. To learn the peculiarities of a /rain of corn. 



Apparatus. Several grains of corn (yellow or red field corn is 

 good, but the large Western corn is most desirable), an ear of corn. 



Method. Examine the corn grains after having soaked 

 them for at least twelve hours. 



(a) Observe the hard, horny covering, the stump where 

 it was once attached to the ear, the lighter-colored depres- 

 sion called the dent, and the tiny scar near the tip of the dent 

 where the corn silk was once attached. 



These points will be more plain if an ear of corn is used 

 for demonstration. 



(6) Cut several sections of corn grains, lengthwise, cross- 

 wise, and flatwise, trying to cut exactly through the middle 

 of the dent each time. Examine the cut surface and find 

 the embryo surrounded 

 on three sides by a 

 starchy and oily mass 



of food (endosperm). 



rp j\ . FIG. 13. 



1 o determine the 



starchy part is easy because of its chalky appearance; but if 

 the sections are soaked in iodine solution, the parts will all 

 be seen very clearly (Fig. 13). Iodine colors the starch' 

 black or dark blue, and stains the embryo yellow or orange. 

 Make out all the parts and sketch the various sections. 



