THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 217 
of the hypocotyl. A short distance back from the tip of 
the root, small, velvety-looking hairs make their appear- 
ance. The root hairs take up water containing nourish- 
ment from the soil. The hypocotyl lengthens to near 
the surface of the soil, where it forms a loop that breaks 
the soil and lifts the cotyledons into the air. The seed 
Fie. 120. Germination of the Castor Bean 
leaves continue to give up their food to the young plant 
for some time after they have been raised from the soil. 
Plant several rows of beans in a box. Beginning 
the third day, take up one row each day for five days 
in succession and study the development of the seed- 
lings. Leave the last row until after the cotyledons 
drop off. 
Germination of the castor bean. The castor bean has 
a spongy portion, called the caruncle, which absorbs the 
water taken in by the micropyle. The nourishment 
stored up in the oily endosperm is absorbed by the thin 
