PHANEROGAMTIA, 219 
Thus we see that the development which takes place here 
inside of the ovule (which corresponds to the spore-case) is 
similar to that which in the Lycopods takes place only after 
the large spore has separated itself from the parent-plant. 
465. Fertilization takes place as follows: The scales of 
the cone open slightly, permitting the pollen, which has 
been carried in the wind, to roll down to their bases where 
the ovules are. Here the pollen-cells germinate, and their 
tubes enter the opening in the ovule-coat and push through 
the tissues to the archegones, where the pollen-protoplasm 
is fused with that of the germ-cell (Fig. 128). 
466. As a result of the fertilization, there is first a 
growth of a row of cells (called the suspensor, erroneously), 
upon the end of which the embryo begins to form. The 
root-end of the embryo is always in contact with the sus- 
pensor, so that, taking the whole embryo at maturity, the 
suspensor is at one end and the little leaves at the other. 
Moreover, the root-end of the embryo is always directed 
towards the opening in the ovule- or seed-coats. The em- 
bryo proper is composed of a little stem ending in a short 
root below and bearing a number of little leaves (cotyle- 
dons) above. The stem ends in a bud, above and within 
the whorl of leaves. During the growth of the embryo 
the ovule enlarges, and its coat becomes thicker and harder, 
and at last, when growth within has ceased,.it separates from 
the parent-plant as a seed (Fig. 124, Z). 
467. In germinating, the seed first absorbs water and 
swells so as to burst its thick coat, the root elongates and 
pushes out into the soil (Fig. 124, A), soon sending out 
little branches. The leaves (cotyledons) are in contact with 
the endosperm, which is rich in starchy and sugary mat- 
ters, which afford the plantlet food for its growth. Finally, 
