44 



BOYS AND GIRLS IN BIOLOGY. 



food. Now, where did the germ get its food? For 

 such a little creature, it is the best manager I know of : 

 it seems to understand that it is going on a long and 

 dangerous journey, so it packs up plenty of food in its 



Fig. 33. 



The Bean after it has burst its Shell, or Testa. 



two cups, and then nestles down to sleep between them, 

 all nice and warm, never bothering itself about any 

 thing till it begins to feel the water and air creeping in 

 around its bed. This is the sign for it to be up and 

 doing, and, like an experienced traveler, it first fortifies 

 itself by a good breakfast. The cups, or cotyledons, 

 are packed full of starch, but the germ will not eat 

 starch, it prefers sugar. Why, then, did it not pack 

 up sugar instead of starch for its journey? Because 



