116 ORGANS AND FUNCTIONS OF PLANTS. 



As every seed derives its nourishment from the 

 inner membrane, there must be a communicating 

 point, and this point being always on the verge 1 of 

 the membrane, may be so termed ; that on the seed 

 being termed the seed-scar 2 , but popularly, though 

 improperly, named the eye. In some species, the 

 verge bears a number of smaller verges, to each of 

 which a seed is attached, by what is named the navel 

 string 2 , by those who pursue animal analogies to 

 extreme minuteness, but is better termed the verge- 

 cord or seed-stalk 4 ; all these parts are obvious in an 

 unripe pea or bean. 



The verge of the seed-stalk sometimes occurs in the 

 form of an expansion 5 , surrounding the seed in a 

 greater or less degree, which has been mistaken for a 

 part of the seed. It is this expansion in the nutmeg 

 which forms the mace of commerce. 



The centre of the seed-organ is sometimes formed 

 of a sort of support, round which the seeds are ranged, 

 termed the pillar 6 , and theoretically represented as 

 consisting of several verges united in a whorl 7 , with a 

 space between. 



The peculiar manner in which seed-organs open 

 when ripe, is also distinguished by the term dehis- 

 cence 8 , when it does not open, by indehiscence. The 



(1) In Latin, Limes seminiferus, Trophospermium, or Placenta. 



(2) In Latin, Hilum or Umbilicus. 



(3) In Latin, Funiculus umbilicalis. 



(4) In Latin, Podospermium. (5) In Latin, Arillus. 

 (6) In Latin, Columella. (7) In Latin, Commissuru. 



(8) In Latin, Dehiscentia. 



