OR, PLAIN TEACHING. 



327 



germ, or embryo, 2. The latter 

 is the true growing point, which 

 in its germination elongates up- 

 wards and downwards to form 

 the new plant. The cotyledons 

 contain a nutritive substance 

 for the early support of the 

 germ. 



If we cast a seed of this kind 

 into the earth, and after a day 

 or two carefully remove it for 

 examination, we find that it has 

 sustained changes ; and if we 

 place it again in the earth — or, 

 still better, if at first we plant a 

 number of seeds, and examine 

 one at a time at intervals, we 

 shall find upon each examination 

 the changes presented become 

 more and more remarkable. 



At first the seed swells con- 

 siderably ; its external membrane 

 bursts ; then an upward and a 

 downward shoot protrude from 

 the cotyledons, 1 : the upward 

 part of the germ being termed 

 the plumule, or stem ; the down- 

 ward the radicle, or root. In a 

 few days the plumule will emerge 

 from the soil, whilst the radicle 

 will penetrate much lower in it 

 than the original position of the 

 seed. 



At this time, numerous vessels, 

 3, will be observed disposed 

 throughout the cotyledons, for 

 » 3 the purpose of 



conveying the 

 nutriment to 

 the infant 

 plant, until it 

 acquire suffi- 

 cient maturity 

 to procure 

 other support 

 for its welfare from the air and 



960. 



from the earth. When this 

 happens, the cotyledons decay, 

 and allow the plant to become 

 entirely dependent upon the 

 leaves which are developed in 

 the plumule, 4, and upon the 

 fibres which a*e developed in 

 the radicle, 5, for its future 

 sustenance. 



There will generally be found, 

 at the lower part of the stem of 

 a young plant, two small leaf- 

 like organs, which are not, how - 



961. 



ever, true leaves. These are the 

 seed leaves, 6, or leaves which 

 first spring from the cotyledons, 3. 

 Having served the purpose for 

 which they were designed, of 

 nourishing and protecting the 

 tender germ, they wither and 

 die, and leave the offspring they 

 have nursed to fulfil its own part 

 in the great scheme of nature.* 



* Gnffitha's Chemiatry «»f the Four SeiiBons; Orr'» 

 Circle of the Science*. 



