THE SEED 133 
THe SzED.—When a seed is composed of two 
lobes, such as can be seen by splitting a bean or pea, 
it is called Dicotyledonous (Greek, dis= twice ; 
kotyledon=a cap). The plumule, or embryo, of 
the future plant is enclosed between the two cotyle- 
dons. Plants having seed of this kind are. classed 
as DicoryLEepons. When the substance of the 
seed cannot be divided into two parts in this way, 
the seeds are Monocotyledonows (Greek, monos 
=one, and kotyledon). Plants bearing such seed 
are classed as MoNOoCOTYLEDONS. 
With few exceptions, the mono- 
cotyledons have leaves with parallel 
veins, and the parts of the flowers 
are usually arranged in _ threes. 
The Vegetable Kingdom is divided , 
into three great Classes: Dicotyle- ,, 
Ia 654.— 
dons, Monocotyledons, and Acoty- Cypsutzor 
ledons. The latter are sometimes Campion. 
called “ flowerless ” plants; they 
embrace Fungi, Lichens, Seaweeds, Liverworts, 
Mosses, and Ferns. 
I don’t ask you to sit down and learn by heart all 
the technical terms and the explanations I have 
given; that would be the very worst way in 
which to get to know them. There is a far better 
and more interesting way. Take your vasculum, 
and ‘go out into the country ; collect some plants ; 
take them home and examine them. What kinds 
of roots have they ? and how many kinds of roots 
have you collected ? Make rough sketches of the 
roots, and write the descriptions under the sketches. 
