76 
THE GARDEN OF THE WORLD 
piece it is a monocotyledon (mono meaning 
one). If it has two parts it is called a dicoty¬ 
ledon. Sometimes the names are shortened and 
they are called monocots and dicots. As the little 
plant begins to grow, it uses up the food. One 
of the first things it must do is break through 
the seed coat. Then it continues growing and 
growing. The more it grows, the more food 
it needs. By the time it gets to the sunlight, 
the food is all gone. Nothing is left but the 
empty seed coat, and it is torn and broken. 
However, that doesn’t matter, for the plant can 
take care of itself now it is in the sunlight. As 
fast as it grows, it works making food for itself 
from the air, water and soil. 
Seeds are of all sizes and shapes. Mustard 
seeds are famous because of their small size; 
many flower seeds are also very small. Nuts 
are good sized seeds. Often a single large seed 
or many small seeds are enclosed in a large juicy 
covering. Examples of this kind are to¬ 
matoes, apples, oranges, pears, plums, berries, 
and dozens more. Every seed, no matter how 
