12 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



another row with the point at the left. Plant some pointing 

 downward. Remove the seed-coats from others and plant in 

 the same positions. Does the peg form in the same way ? 

 Port Jackson seedlings and the Silver Tree have a peg all around 

 the stem. Sometimes the stem below the peg grows too rapidly, 

 or the seed-coat is not held firmly enough by the soil. Then 



Fig. i6. — a, b, the peg is spreading open the seed-coats ; c, the blacl; wattle 

 seedling has a '' peg" quite around the stem. 



the peg fails to hold the seed-coat in place and the plant has 

 to get out as best it can. Do such seedlings look as thrifty 

 as others? In Fig. ry the peg has done its work, and the coat 

 has been left underground. 



The cotyledon (or scutellum) of the mealie has not made 

 its appearance. It remains down where the supply of food 

 was stored, which it has been absorbing and passing on to the 

 plumule and radicle. By the time these parts are green and 

 able to make their own food the seed will feel quite soft. 

 Cut a seed through the centre so as to divide the embryo 

 into right and left halves. By looking at the cotyledon with 



