8 NATURE TEACHING. 



cases the seeds are provided with a seed-coat 

 which becomes mucilaginous and sticky when 

 wet, thus effecting the same purpose. 



8. On looking over a plot where a number 

 of beans are germinating, it will often be seen 

 that some of the seeds have not been able to 

 rid themselves of their seed -coats, owing to the 

 fact that the soil did not hold down the coats 

 sufficiently firmly, but allowed them to be 

 pulled up when the plant tried to draw out 

 the cotyledons. It will be seen that these 

 plants are often greatly hindered in their 

 growth by the presence of these, no-longer- 

 wanted, coats. 



9. In the case of some beans and peas, 

 as for example j the pigeon or Gungo pea (Caja- 

 nus indicus,) the seed leaves are not drawn out 

 of the seed-coats in the manner described but 

 remain below the ground. The young stem 

 makes its appearance above ground in an arch- 

 ed form, but, in this case, the arch is formed 

 above the point of attachment of the cotyle- 

 dons to the plumule. The growth of the arch 

 now merely draws out the plumule with its 

 tender leaves. Nearly every kind of seed will 

 be found to present peculiarities in its method 

 of germination well worth study. 



10. The germination of the seed of the 



