26 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
seed contains a perfect germ within itself, not to be seen 
perhaps without the aid of a microscope, but there it is, 
“the seed (or -bud) in itself” as perfect as that of the 
bean, which is seen by the naked eye: Many seeds have a 
most beautiful appearance when viewed by the microscope ; 
for example, the quite small seed of Portulaca, when thus 
examined, resembles some splendid sea shell, with all the 
brilliancy of color, which graces some of these wonders of 
the sea. 
By the sudden bursting of the capsule of some plants, 
the seeds are scattered some distance around: such for in- 
stance as Phlox, Lupin, and many others. The seed of 
Asclepias, Thistle, and others, have a silky appendage, by 
which they are wafted by the wind to distant parts of the 
country. The seeds of the Maple and other plants and 
trees are so constructed that they float upon the water and 
thus find a lodgement upon the banks of a stream many 
miles from their starting place; others will not germinate 
until they have passed through the stomach of a bird, and 
such are deposited wherever the bird flies. Seeds buried 
in the earth may remain many years, or ages, without ger- 
minating, but when brought up by the plow to the surface 
of the ground and exposed to the air, germinate and bring 
forth a plentiful crop of weeds. The earth seems to be 
full of seed. Earth taken from the bottom of deep wells 
or mines, when exposed to the sun and air, often produces 
vegetation. Some seeds when excluded from the air and 
moisture, retain their vitality for almost an indefinite pe- 
riod of time. 
It is often asked, how long will this or that variety of 
seed retain its vitality. In answer to this inquiry, we re- 
ply, that it depends very much as to the manner in which 
seed was cured, and how it has been kept. We have tables 
stating the leuesthi of time the different earden seeds may 
be considered good. 
