
THE FRUIT AND THE SEED 297 
favorable to growth throughout the year, a prolonged period of 
rest is unnecessary. The seeds of many plants that are natives 

Fig. 8302. Successive stages in the germination of lima bean (Phaseolus 
lunatus) 
The cotyledons are carried up into the air and furnish food for the embryo, but 
do not become lifelike. (x 4) 
of moist tropical regions germinate almost immediately, and if 
stored they lose their capacity for germination in a very short time. 
Many seeds have hard seed coats which are impervious to 
water; such seeds will not germinate until the seed coats have 
