SOMETHING ABOUT SEEDS. 75 
Collomia linearis is a very remarkable object. It is, in its normal 
condition, dry and hard, but when moistened and placed beneath 
the microscope, we are astonished to find it covered with myriads 
of little threads, which project” into the water, and keep it in con- 
stant motion. These are spiral fibres, which when dry, remain 
closely attached to the surface of the seed. The seed of Gerani- 
um appears as if enclosed in a net, that of Hypericum is crested 
upon one side, and is aptly compared by Lindley to an ancient 
helmet, while the tiny black fruit of Polygala is covered with white 
hairs, and is provided with a curious appendage called a caruncle, 
This seems to be composed of light cellular tissue, which, when 
Magnified, owing to its beautiful whiteness and the distinct demar- 
cation of its cells, resembles frost-work ; or to the chemist, suggests 
more. strikingly the appearance of a glass rod which has been 
heated, and suddenly cooled by immersion in water. Corydalis is 
furnished with an aril, or accessory appendage, as is also the 
Euonymus, and many other plants. The aril in Euonymus, is red, 
and is one cause of the extreme beauty of this plant in autumn, 
when its colored pods expand and reveal the deeper tinted ee 
of the seed within. 
With the beautiful colors often assumed by seeds, all are of 
course acquainted who in childhood have arrayed the gayly tinted 
beans in military order. Nearly all the primary colors are brought 
into play to ornament the different seeds, while some, more regal 
in their fancies, are bedecked with bronze and gold. The mention 
. of beans, suggests the use of seed to man, the Graminez and Le- 
guminos furnishing a very large proportion of our food. Then, 
too, when we think that all our fruits have a direct relation to the 
seeds, we must feel how absolutely dependent we are upon these 
unborn plantlets for our sustenance and comfort. 
Yet there are many seeds that are not edible, and others that 
are extremely noxious. The most deadly substance known, per- 
haps, is prepared from the seed of Strychnos nux-vomica. From 
this fact alone, and the knowledge that even here destructive seeds 
surround us, we learn that the study we have been engaged in, is 
not a profitless occupation. It teaches us, not only the hidden 
beauties that encompass us, but how to discriminate between the 
hurtful and the beneficial fruits — the worthless and the advanta- 
geous, 
