GREW 167 



(bud), the leaf, the flower, the fruit and the seed before 

 germination. 



Grew's description of the bean-seed may be called an 

 object-lesson, one of the first object-lessons that was 

 ever written. The parts are skilfully displayed and 

 well figured. 



He notes the " vest or coat " of the seed, and the 

 foramen (micropyle)^ against which the tip of the 

 radicle lies. The foramen " is not a hole casually made, 

 or by the breaking off of the stalk ; but designedly 

 formed, for the uses hereafter mentioned." It is found 

 not only in beans, but in other pulse, and " in many 

 seeds not reckoned of this kindred." " That this fora- 

 men is truly permeable, even in old setting-beans, and 

 the other seeds above named, appears upon their being 

 soaked for some time in water. For then, taking them 

 out, and crushing them a little, many small bubbles will 

 alternately arise and break upon it." He afterwards 

 explains that the general cause of the growth of the 

 bean is fermentation, and that the foramen serves for 

 the supply of airy particles which excite the fermen- 

 tation ; it also gives easy issue to particles and steams, 

 and plays the part of a bung-hole to the new- tunned 

 liquor in a barrel.^ 



^The name of micropyle is Toumefort's. The modern reader may be 

 puzzled for a moment by Grew's statement that the micropyle will admit a 

 ' ' small virginal wyer," but will soon recollect that the virginal or spinet was 

 the piano of those da.ys. 



^ Malpighi in his Anatomes Plantarum Idea (p. 9) explains that the micro- 

 pyle serves for the entrance of moisture. His speculations, like those of 

 Grew, Were refuted when it was shown that seeds whose micropyles have been 

 plugged with wax or varnish germinate perfectly well (Turpin, Ann. du 

 Mus4um, Vol. VII). C. J. Geoffrey (Acad, des Sciences, 1711) showed that 

 the fertilisation of the ovule is effected through the micropyle, though he 

 erroneously believed that "le petit grain du poussifere (pollen) pent tomber 

 naturellement par oette petite ouverture dans la cavity de cette v^sioule qui est 

 I'embryon de la graine." The pollen-grain was, he thought, the germ of the 

 future plant. 



