The Growth of the Trees. 



Si. 



4^ 





Between the little seed that drops into the ground and the 

 tall tree that springs from it, the difference is great ; and yet, 

 when we know well the seed and have examined its contents, 

 we find that the difference is more one of increased growth 

 than it is of any dissimilarity in character. Within the seed, 

 the tree, in miniature, already lives. As to all things, however, 

 we know there must be a beginning, and although, by simply 

 cutting open sideways the seed of a maple tree, we may with a 

 naked eye see the stem and first two leaves of the future tree 

 all snugly curled up in their seed coat ; with justice we ask 

 how they came to be there and after what manner do they pro- 

 ceed to grow. 



It is then necessary for us to go still further back in the story 

 of the tree's growth and to turn our attention to the blossoms 

 of the preceding year. Here we shall find the organs of repro- 

 duction, the stamens and pistil ; and so small and hidden are 

 often these most essential parts that their doings can only be 

 successfully followed under a microscope. Carefully placed in 

 the ovary of the pistil is the ovule : the part that is eventually 

 to become the seed. Its nucleus appears to be a mass of pulpy, 

 tissue-like substance and it is enclosed in one or two coats. 

 It is here, within the nucleus that the embryo or seedling is 

 formed, while the coats develop into its seed coat. At the 

 apex of the ovule, it must be noticed, there is a little hole that 

 extends through the coats and which is called the orifice. 



Shortly after the blossom has unfolded there appears in the 

 nucleus of the ovule, a small cavity. It is lined with a fine 

 membrane-like tissue, and soon forms a closed sac. At the 

 upper end of the sac and near the orifice is a tiny, round body. 



