96 OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 
kept dry; but if exposed to moisture, it soon 
awakes and commences its wonderful course of 
development. 
195. In the Spring of the year the melting snows 
or the warm rains supply the proper moisture to 
the seeds which have fallen to the ground, and 
they may be seen everywhere swelling, bursting, 
and growing. The young botanist must not fail to 
watch their development. 
196. Beneath some Oak, for example, 
buried in the old leaves, we find acorns 
in all stages of growth, showing at one 
view all the steps in the process of ger- 
mination. Here is an acorn with 
its shell softened and its kernela 2 
little swollen. We divide it length- 
wise with a sharp knife, and the 
section (Fig. 318) shows the two 
thick cotyledons (¢ ce) and the 
radicle (r). 
197. In another acorn (Fig. 
319) the cotyledons have ab- 
sorbed yet more water, and en- 
larged so much as to burst 
the shell, and the radicle 
growing, has come forth, 
a little root, directing its 
course downwards. 
Ta 
Y\ 7 
? Fig. 318. Acorn, seed of the 
y Oak, cut open,—showing , ¢, 
the cotyledons; 7, the radicle, 
Figs. 819, 820, 821. Show the 
Progress of germination: r, radicle 3 p, plumule. 
318 
194. Please tell us again what a seed is. In what condition is a seed? 
When will it awake? 
195. Condition of the seeds generally in Spring ? 
