92 BOTANY Fi # 4EGINNERS. [Ch XV. 
FA 
tribe of annual plants; in another the biennial plants would 
vanish; the perennial would, year after year, disappear, a 
(if we could suppose our own lives to be prolonged to the usual | 
age of man,) we should behold the earth one vast scene of ve- 
getable ruin; occas onally here and there a venerable oak or 
an ancient pine would stand in solitary grandeur, the mournful 
remnants of the once beautiful and fertile vegetable kingdom. 
374, But sus a a sad spectacle the earth will never present; 
for we have t .e promise of God himself, that “while the earth. 
remaineth, s:ed time and harvest shall not cease.” 
375. W: have seen in the progress of our inquiries, that 
while tb: present plant is diffusing around it beauty and fra- 
grance and administering to the necessities and luxuries of | 
man, se watchful care of that Being, who never slumbers nor 
slee, s,is by a slow but certain progress perfecting that part 
which is destined to continue the various species of plants ur 
til time shall be no more. 
376. The seed is that internal part of the fruit which con- 
tains the complete rudiment of a new plant, similar to that from 
which it received its existence. 
377. The seed consists of three principal parts, viz. the eye, 
husk, and kernel. 
378. Ist. The Eye, or hilum, is the scar formed by the sepa- 
ration of the membrane or thread which connected the seed 
with the pericarp, and conveyed to the former the necessary, 
nourishment. You can see the eye plainly in a bean or kernel | 
of corn. 
379. 2d. The Husk, is the outer coat of the seed, which, on 
boiling, becomes separate ; as in peas, beans, Indian corn, &c. 
The husk surrounds the kernel; it is essential, as the kernel, 
which is originally a fluid, could not be formed without its pre- 
sence, 
380. 3d. The Kernel, includes all that is contained within 
the husk; it is also called the nucleus or almond of the seed. 
The kernel is usually composed of the albumen, cotyledon, and 
embryo. 
381. Albumen makes up the chief part of some seeds, as the 
374, Will the earth ever present such a spectacle ? 
375. What have we seen in the progress of our inquiries ? 
376. What does the seed contain ? 
377. Of how many parts does the seed consist ? 
378. Describe the eye. 
379, What is the husk ? 
380. What is the kernel, and into how many parts is it divided ? 
381 What is said of the albumen ? 
