SEEDS. 21 



The Seeds of plants assume all possible varieties 

 of fornl. The number produced in each flower 

 is equally various ; and plants are termed ac- 

 cording to the number of the seeds formed in 

 each flower, Monospermous, Dispermous, &c. 



The two parts into which most seeds com- 

 monly separate, are termed Cotyledons, c These 

 afford nourishment to the embryo plant p contained 

 within them, and become seed leaves as it emerges 

 from the earth, fig. 1, pi. 15. 



Seeds are sometimes furnished with down, or 

 a light feathery appendage, called a pappus, by 

 means of which they are wafted through the air, 

 and widely dispersed. 



The down, or pappus, is either sitting, as in 

 Sow-thistle, (Sonchus) fig. 2, in which it grows 

 directly upon the seed ; or supported on a pedicle, 

 as in Goat's-beard, (Tragopogon) fig. 3. 



A seed is said to be ivhiged, when it is fur- 

 nished with a thin membrane, as in the Sycamore, 

 (Acer) fig. 4, and Penny-cress, fig. 5. 



