SEEDS, FRUITS, FLORETS. 



25 



drawn over tlic flowers, is an efficient means of fertilising those from which fruit or seed 

 is required. {Sec Pollination, &c., pages 29 — 31.) 



Eotanieall}-, any seed or seeds, no matter how large or small, hard or tender, with 

 their coat pod, eapside, or other receptacle, is called a fruit. 



Seeds. 



Seeds arc fertilised buds generally borne inside some sort of a fruit vessel or ovary, 

 from which receptacle they eventually become detached and escape and fall upon the 



Fiy. l.j. Section of a CnuYSANTiiEMrM Floweu. 

 a, female floret of the ray ; h, lienuapliroJite lloret of the disk ; c, calyx or involucre. 



surface of the ground, whore inider good conditions they grow and increase, or at least 

 perpetuate the parent plant. When perfectly ripe and dry, seeds may be stored in a 

 cool, dry, and airy place until required for sowing, and some albuminous seeds may be 

 kept for years in a growable state if it is desirable to preserve them. Seeds will, 

 however, germinate long before they are ripe and dry enough for keeping purposes, and 

 in some cases we may adopt with advantage nature's plan of sowing seeds as soon as 



VOL. T. E 



