Seeds and Seedlings. 19 



food materials locked in against loss ; and that the plant 

 is not inclined to spring into activity, nor are the reserve 

 materials liable to become unlocked except in the right 

 season and under the proper conditions for the estabhsh- 

 ment of the young plant as an independent individual, 



Fig. i. 



Germination of the Mangrove. /, longitudinal section of the Mangrove fiower; 

 y, the fruit ; K, the seed germinating while yet contained in the fruit hanging to 

 the tree (compare H) ; L, longitudinal section of the fruit showing the seedling 

 separating from it ; //, branch of the Mangrove with seedlings pendent from it 

 and others that have fallen and taken root in the moist soil. After Kerner. 



with its roots in the soil, and its leaves spread out in the 

 sunlight and air. 



9. Time of Germination. — Some seeds are capable of 

 germination as soon as mature, and even before they are 

 cast off from the parent plant. One may sometimes see 

 wheat germinating in the standing ears before harvest 



