Seeds and the Morphology of Seedlings.^ 7 



ence. Through this organ, the nourishment stored in the albu- 

 men is transferred to the growing seedling. 



The albumen in the seed of Indian Corn is hard and starchy in 

 the dry mature seed, but softens upon soaking in water. It is 

 yellow or amber-colored in "common field corn," and is the part 

 of the grain from which Indian meal is made. 



The plumule is small but consists of two or three rudimentary 

 leaves. In vertical section it appears like a young bud. 



The hypocotyl is enclosed in a root-sheath through which it 

 breaks when germination begins. 



The scutellum is united with the embryo at the point of union 

 of the plumule and the hypocotyl, i. e., at the first node. 



The ovary and seed-coats are blended in the mature .seed so as 

 not to be easily distinguishable. 



The fruit of all grasses is called a caryopsis. 



Study the development of the seedling of Indian Corn. Note 

 the changes, if there are any, that occur in the scutellum and the 

 root-sheath during the development of the seedling. 



Sketch a kernel entire showing the upper side ; also a vertical 

 section of the seed showing the parts mentioned. 



Sketch two or more stages in the development of the seedling. 



Observe and sketch the peculiar forms which the various parts 

 assume in the following seeds and especially notice the modifica- 

 tions of the outer-seed-coat. 



Catalpa. (Catalpa bignonioides). 



Magnolia. (Magnolia acuminata). 



Milk-weed or silk-weed. (Asclepias Cornuti). 



Northern Pitcher Plant. (Sarracenia purpurea). 



Columbine. (Aquilegia Canadensis). 



Pigweed. (Amarantus retroflexus). 



Bouncing Bet. (Saponaria officinalis). 



Date. (Phoenix dactylifera.) 



Blood-root. (Sanguinaria Canadensis). 



Read — Gray's "Lessons" pp. 125-128, 15-26. 



References: — Gray — "Structural Botany" pp. 305-314, 9-27. 



Bessey — " Botany" pp. 451, 452, 474. 



Bessey — " Essentials of Botany" pp. 241, 252r 



Bastin — " College Botany " pp. 116-123. 



