120 ORGANS AND FUNCTIONS OF PLANTS. 



termed the outer seed-pulp x , or white ; and in others 

 still, a body which may be termed the inner seed-pulp '-', 

 or yolk. These seed-pulps, which are green in mis- 

 seltoe, white and mealy in wheat and oats, and oily in 

 spurge, are not connected with the embryo by vessels, 

 but serve to nourish it, as has been proved by the ex- 

 periments of Dr. Yule, and M. Mirbel. In the greater 

 number of seeds, however, the seed-pulp, instead of 

 being separate and distinct from the embryo, is con- 

 tained within its substance. 



Fig. l. Fig. 2. 



Seeds of the cabbage palm. Fig 1. a, the seed with its shell; 

 6, the seed scar, with the seed pore : c, the vascular cord which 

 runs from the scar half way down to the pore. Fig. 2. The seed, cut 

 across to show the outer seed pulp in form of teat-like rays from 

 the shell, a, to the centre ; 6, the embryo, bluntly tapering and 

 placed on one side. 



The embryo of a seed consists of four parts : the 

 radicle, the seed-lobe or lobes, the neck, and the gemlet ; 

 all of which are important to be noticed in the progress 

 of germination, and with regard to the foundation of 

 modern systems. 



The radicle 3 forms that extremity of the embryo 

 from which the root springs in the progress of germina- 



(1) In Latin, Albumen, (2) In Latin, Vitellvs. 



(3) In Latin, Radicula. 



