SEEDS OP THE BUCKWHEAT AND FLAX TYPE 



59 



endosperm. Another feature to be noted is that the embryo 

 has two cotyledons. 



In external characters they vary so much that their type in 

 most cases can be determined only by an examination of their 

 structure. In size, those most commonly 

 grown in our region vary from the smallest 

 of the Clover Seeds up to the largest of 

 the Beans. They are kidney-shaped, glob- 

 ular, oval, or flattened. Among them vari- 

 ous colors such as red, purple, brown, 

 yellow, green, mottled, and black occur. 

 In identifying the different seeds of this 

 type, especially those of the Bean family, 

 size, shape, and color are important aids. 



In importance, the seeds of this type 

 rank next to those of the Grass family. In 

 Beans, Peas, and Peanuts, which are used 

 directly as food, the va,lue depends upon 

 the protein, fats, and starches stored in the seed sectioned longitudi- 



embryo. In the naUy. B, Apple seed 

 Cotton seed «e''ti°^e^l°»^g^*^^'^'^^lly- 



A B 



Fig. 63. —A, Squash 





? , \ both embryo 





e, embryo. B much more 

 enlarged than A. 



?:?.* '-'Ai/Jii/. 



and seed coat 



are valuable structures. The embryo 

 is rich in oil from which many useful 

 products are made, while the hairs of 

 the seed coat are the Cotton fibers 

 of commerce. {Fig. 64-) The seeds 

 of Clover and Alfalfa are important 

 because the plants which bear them 

 Fig. 64. — Section through increase the soil fertility and are valu- 

 a Cotton seed showing the able for hay and forage, 

 embryo with its much folded Seeds of the Buckwheat and Tomato 

 cotyledons, and the seed coat Type. - Some common seeds of this 

 with the seed hairs. Enlarged ■"' n i t^ i i ^ t. j. 



about twice. *yP^ ^^^ those of the Buckwheat, Beet, 



Tomato, Potato, Tobacco, Red Pep- 

 per, Coffee, Flax, and Castor-oil plant. The type is common to 

 a number of families, which contain some useful plants and many 

 weeds, such as Nightshades, Spurges, Morning Glories, Bind- 

 weeds, Dodders, Milkweeds, Docks, Smartweeds, and Corn Cockle. 



