VEGETABLE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION^. 



3 



frround, its two parts tliverfirin{^ and oxliibiting between tlicni a bud, which 

 develops a pair of green leaves with im intervening bud (Fig. 5). This 

 bud develops other leaves, and so on, the further upward growth of the 

 plant being but a repetition of the process. In the axi's of the leaves 

 buds are also developed, and these grow in a manner similar to that of the 



juuiu hteni, so that the 

 plant assumes a more or 

 less symmetrical spread- 

 ing appearance. 



Returniug now to that 

 portion of the seed which 

 elongates downward, we 

 observe that it branches 

 rapidly as it grows, but iu 



Fill, 5. — A lienii witli its first pair of true loaves, 

 bearing the Kted-leavch above f^roiiiul. 



Fid. 6. Fi(i. 7. Fi(i. 8. Fio. 9. 



Fio. (i —A kernel of Indinn corn, Bhowing tlie embryo. Fio. 7. — Tho same. rovcrMs side. Fia. 3. — The 

 same after germination. Fia. 9. — Imlian corn with its first leaves. 



an irregular, unsymraetrical manner, differing widely in this respect from 

 the ascending portion, whose branches are axillary and regular. We 

 note also tlie absence of buds and green color. 



Tlie downward growth of the plant keeps pace, to a certain extent, 

 with its upward development. Apart from the physiological functions of 

 the roots, the mechanictd suppoi-t which they yield to the steifl requires 

 that their develojmient should be proportionate to its growth. 



Taking a kernel of Indian corn as another example, we shall find that 



