324 PLANT-LIFE 



The seed, which is the essential product of fertilization^ 

 ought to stimulate our imagination and arouse thoughts 

 too deep for words. It is a mighty potency in repose 

 entrusted with the sacred mission of the perpetuation 

 of the species. Nesthng within that grain of wheat is 

 the promise of a hundredfold reproduction — yea, even 

 more, of a world's harvest. Before that seed was dis- 

 charged from the parent plant the embryonic plant which 

 it contains was set agoing, and provided with sufficient 

 capital to maintain it in germination, and until such 

 time as it can fend for itself. Here, truly, is a point for 

 special note. While still in association with the parent 

 plant an infant is conceived, and is embryonically 

 developed up to a certain stage. When the seed is 

 liberated the development of the embryo is arrested, to 

 be resumed with intense vigour when it germinates under 

 favourable conditions. We can say of the embryonic 

 plant in the dry wheat-grain, " The child is not dead, 

 but sleepeth." The seed is a resting-stage during which 

 its vital part is tided over adverse conditions; it can 

 endure great extremes of temperature, and is not 

 seriously affected by drought. It is also a vehicle in 

 which the foetal plant is despatched on a journey that, 

 it is hoped, will end in the discovery of good ground for 

 germination. And the " young idea " in the seed is 

 furnished with a store of food for use when the sleeper 

 awakeneth, and resumes activity in circumstances less 

 " cribbed, cabined, and confined," than those to which 

 it has hitherto been restricted. 



We have suggested that the fruit protects the seed; 

 this, indeed, is true, but its protection is temporary. 

 The essential significance of the fruit is perceived in its 



