SEEDS AND FRUITS 159 



clear fluid, the " milk." Determine the 

 capacity of this central cavity. 



b. The white layer of " meat/' the endosperm, 



which is composed of storage cells con- 

 taining reserve food. Apply a drop of 

 iodine as a test for the presence of 

 starch. The endosperm plainly con- 

 tains oil, for it is expressed in great 

 quantities in factories. Sugar may be 

 detected by the taste. Split off por- 

 tions of the endosperm and measure its 

 thickness. 



c. A brownish membrane will be seen adher- 



ing to the outer surface of the endo- 

 sperm, which is made up of the true 

 seed-coats. 



IV. The embryo. 



Working from the inside, carefully cut away the 



endosperm from around the eyes. 

 a. Under one of them will be found an irreg- 

 ular white cylinder, about a third of an 

 inch long, with the outer flattened end 

 pressed against the seed-coat, and the 

 inner portion buried in the endosperm. 



