248 BIOLOGY. 



to attain unto difference ; therefore the sap within the 

 capsule must, instead of separating itself into spiral ves- 

 sels and leaf-substance, continue to remain there undi- 

 vided and without form, i. e. in the condition of" simple 

 granules, or germs of future cells. 



1306. The seeds, like the root, are a mass of cells ; 

 like it they contain an accumulation of mucus, but of 

 course more highly-formed, being separated into flour, 

 starch, acid matter, oil, and such like substances. 



1307. These seminal substances are deposited upon 

 the alkaline, in opposition to the acid, side of the ovary ; 

 just as the root also represents the alkaline factor in re- 

 ference to the stalk, in which appears the formation of acids. 



1308. The seeds are the pinnate leaflets of the ovarian 

 leaves, which continue in the condition of buds. They 

 stand therefore as unclosed vesicles upon both edges of 

 the carpel, as is particularly distinct in the legumens. 



1309. As both edges are similar to each other, so 

 there can be no ovary that has fewer than two seeds. In 

 all one-seeded ovaries therefore one seed has been ar- 

 rested, a fact that admits too of being demonstrated in 

 the majority of cases. 



1310. Every seed is placed at the extremity of a late- 

 ral rib of the carpel. These lateral ribs are called seed- 

 bearers or placentae. If such lateral ribs terminate be- 

 fore reaching the edge of the carpel, then the seeds stand 

 upon the juncture or wall of the carpel. This does not, 

 however, occur frequently, but only in the Siliquosae, 

 poppies, and some others. The elongated lateral rib, 

 whereupon the seed hangs, is called umbilical cord. It 

 is no peculiar organ, but only the seed-petiole. 



1311. The direction of the seeds is possible in five ways, 

 either upright and horizontal, transverse, or rising ob- 

 liquely upwards and downwards in relation to the axis 

 of the ovary. 



1312. Every perfect seed (of Dicotyledons) is none 

 other than a pentifoliar, involuted, pinnate leaf. The 

 shell of the seed is the leaf-spathe or pliyllodium, the 

 two seed-lobes are the two posterior pinnate leaflets, 



