SEEDS AND FRUITS 169 



allow the water to boil. Place an equal 

 number of grains on the cover of the ves- 

 sel, but where they will be dry. Plant 

 both lots'of seeds in the soil, and note : — 



a. The number that germinate. What do 



you conclude as to the power of the 

 grain to resist extremes of heat ? 



Put a number of grains in a shallow 

 dish of water in the morning, and set 

 outside where they may freeze at night. 

 Place alongside these an equal number 

 in a dry dish. Now put both lots in 

 separate boxes of moist soil, keep in a 

 comfortable living room, and note : — 



b. The number germinating. What do you 



conclude as to the power of the grains 

 to resist cold ? 



The capacity of the seed to endure 

 heat or cold is very great. The seed of 

 a plant is capable of undergoing much 

 greater extremes of climate than the 

 adult plant, which is largely due to the 

 fact that it contains very little water. 

 Thus a seed if kept dry may be exposed • 

 to a heat which will boil water and still 



