STORAGE OF FOOD IX THE SEED 17 



Cut sections of the soaked kernels, some transverse, some length- 

 wise and parallel to the flat surfaces, some lengthwise and at right 

 angles to the flat surfaces. Try the effect of staining some of these 

 sections with iodine solution. 



Make a sketch of one section of each of the three kinds, and label 

 the dirty white portion, of cheesy consistency, embryo ; and the yel- 

 low portions, and those which are white and floury, endosperm. 



Chip off the endosperm from one kernel so as to remove the 

 embryo free from other parts. 1 Notice its form, somewhat triangular 

 in outline, sometimes nearly the shape of a beechnut, in other speci- 

 mens nearly like an almond. 



Estimate what proportion of the entire bulk of the soaked kernel 

 is embryo. 



Split the embryo lengthwise so as to show the slender, somewhat 

 conical plumule. 2 



20. Corn Seedlings deprived of Endosperm An experi- 

 ment parallel to No. V serves to show the function and 

 the importance of the endosperm of Indian corn. 



EXPERIMENT VII 



Of how much Use to the Corn Seedling is the Endosperm ? Sprout 

 kernels of corn on blotting paper. When they get fairly started, 

 cut away the endosperm carefully from several of the seeds. Sus- 

 pend on mosquito netting on the surface of water in the same jar 

 two or three seedlings which have had their endosperm removed, and 

 as many which have not been mutilated. Let them grow for some 

 weeks, and note results. 



21. Starch Most common seeds contain starch. 



Every one knows something about the appearance of ordi- 



1 The embryo may be removed with great ease from kernels of rather ma- 

 ture green corn. Boil the corn for about twenty minutes on the cob, then pick 

 the kernels off one by one with the point of a knife. They may be preserved 

 indefinitely in alcohol of 50 or 75%. 



2 The teacher may well consult Figs. 56-61, inclusive, in Gray's Structural 

 Botany. 



