422 XXX. THE SEED OF ANGIOSPERMS. 



produced all its rudimentary roots, we now cut off all the elongated 

 parts, and prepare a median longitudinal section through the fruit. 

 We can now easily see that the growing point remains pretty much 

 in its old position, having only developed a number of new leaf 

 rudiments. The scutellum has in general not increased in size, 

 excepting as to its cylindrical epithelium, the cells of which have 

 elongated still more, and more or less completely separated from 

 one another laterally, so as to resemble hairs ; they have rich 

 protoplasmic contents. It is of great interest for us now to take a 

 little of the endosperm tissue, diffuse it in a drop of water, and 

 examine it with a high power. Amongst the more or less numer- 

 ous starch-grains which are still unchanged will appear others 

 which have become corroded by the action of diastatic ferments 

 which have been produced in the course of germination. Such 

 grains appear peculiarly changed. In places still white, of their 

 original density, and without clear lamination, they are in other 

 places transparent, sharply laminated, and with the concentric 

 layers traversed by more or less broad radial striae. Many grains 

 appear as if reduced thereby to vermiform particles, and finally 

 such grains are completely dissolved. 



