CHAPTER II 
STORAGE OF FOOD IN THE SEED 
12. Food in the Embryo. — Squash seeds are not much 
used for human food, though both these and melon seeds 
are occasionally eaten in parts of Europe; but beans and 
peas are important articles of food. Whether the material 
accumulated in the cotyledons is an aid to the growth of 
the young plant may be learned from a simple experiment. 
13. Mutilated and Perfect Seedlings. — One of the best 
ways in which to find out the importance and the special 
use of any part of a plant is to remove the part in ques- 
tion and see how the plant behaves afterward. 
EXPERIMENT IV? 
Are the Cotyledons of a Pea of any Use to the Seedling ? — Sprout 
several peas on blotting paper. When the plumules appear, carefully 
cut away the cotyledons from some of the seeds. Place on a perfo- 
rated cork, as shown in Fig. 4, one or two seedlings from which the 
cotyledons have been cut, and as many which have not been muti- 
lated, and allow the roots to extend into the water. Let them grow 
for some days, or even weeks, and note results. 
14. Storage of Food outside of the Embryo.—In very 
many cases the cotyledons contain little food, but there is 
a supply of it stored in the seed beside or around them 
(Figs. 5 and 6). 
1 May be a home experiment. 
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