C OV THE STRUCTURE AND GROWTH OF SEEDS. 



in the plate, that scarcely one of the seeds gven is turned 

 the same ivai/ : but whea the seeds leave the capsule, the 

 vessels are confined within the sialk; besides, the busioess 

 of the impregnating vessel has then been long over, and 

 the string is either lost in the sted vessel, or melted away 

 into nourishment for the rest; for it no longer appears: 

 though I have my doubts, whetiier it is not the string found 

 afterward passing over the kerne.. 

 Teriods in the 1 now turn to the different stages of the growth of the 

 g^rowth of the ^^^^^ p.^^g^ 2^ ^^ ^^^ g^ ^j,j display the kernel m the ear- 

 Commence- liest stage of its first period. The pocket, d, is then filled 

 "'^y^^^'^^^^'^'S.'ith a transparent jelly. The corculum, c, is perfectly 

 empty, being only distended by the parts adjoining. The 

 impregnating vessel, a, joins the corculum to the pocket, 

 which is still seen at some distance. Beside these vessels of 

 conseqvence, there are generally found in the first stage 

 some bringing air, others jui«es, to the new plant. I never 

 before, except in water plants, discovered a real air vessel 

 '^lli''*^^^'^ ^'^ iii a vegetable ; but in the seeds they are certainly found, 

 and it is almost impossible to conceive what a quantity 

 these little vessels yield, and how continually the change of 

 vessels is seen ; each day brings a new assortment. 

 End of the 1st In ^,\^e latter part of this period the pocket has greatly 

 ''*^" * increased, and of course shortened the distance between the 



two bags ; the nourishing vessels have entered the outward 

 cover of the seed; and, instead of the air vessels before 

 seen, a number of vessels running from the green part ap- 

 pear to assist in increasing the pocket. And here ends the 

 first period. 

 Beginning of The second begins with the impregnation of the embryo; 

 perio . ^^^^ ^i^g g^g^ gl^^^ ^^ j^ j^^ ^j^^^ ^1^^ coiculum is immediately 



Mistake of filled with a glutinous liquor. Mirbel says, " Some time 

 "''^*'* before and after impregnation, no change takes place in the 



interior of the plant." I have so long studied this part, 

 that I must contradict him. I never knew the second noon 

 passj if the plant was aifectecl, without making the impreg- 

 nation visible; though I have certainly seen the stamen 

 flower, without any consequence taking place with respect 

 to the seed ; but then the seeds nencr germinate, and if 

 there »»as no visible effect, I ca;inot conceive how it could 



be 



