320 



LJiSSONS WITH PLANTS 



is the fact that these first two leaves came out 



of the seed, and did not grow out of the plantlet 



itself. We must notice, too, that 



these leaves are much smaller 



when they are first drawn out 



of the seed than they are when 



the plantlet has straightened it- 



That is, these leaves increase 



in size after they reach the light and air. 



389. The roots are now established 



in the soil, and are taking in food which 



enables the plantlet to grow. The next 



leaves which appear (Fig. 338) are very 



leaves develop- different from these first or seed leaves. 



mg. 



They .grow out of the little plant itself. 

 The picture shows these true leaves as they appear 

 on a young Crookneck squash plant, and the plant 



now begins to look much like a 



squash vine. 



389(1. The leaves whicli are boi'ne in the 



Marking seed are the cotyledons or seed-leaves. Their 



the root. enlargement, after sprouting, is largely or wholly 



at the expense of the nutriment which is stored 



up in the seed. The true leaves (Fig. 338J appear as 



soon as the plantlet begins to gather materials for itself. 



Germination is not complete until the plantlet has thoroughly 



established itself in the soil, and the true leaves have 



begun to appear. The plantlet then becomes a plant. 



earlier part of the germinating process may be called sprouting. 



3896. The incipient shoot which gives rise to the growth 



The 



