=213. How the embryo backs out of the seed.=—The embryo lies
within the mass of the endosperm; the root end, near the smaller end of
the seed. The club-shaped cotyledon lies near the middle of the seed,
surrounded firmly on all sides by the endosperm. The stalk, or petiole,
of the cotyledon, like the lower part of the petiole of the leaves, is
a hollow cylinder, and contains the younger leaves, and the growing end
of the stem or bud. When germination begins, the stalk, or petiole, of
the cotyledon elongates. This pushes the root end of the embryo out
at the small end of the seed. The free end of the embryo now enlarges
somewhat, as seen in the figures, and becomes the bulb, or corm, of the
young plant. At first no roots are visible, but in a short time one,
two, or more roots appear on the enlarged end.
=214. Section of an embryo.=—If we make a longisection of the
embryo and seed at this time we can see how the club-shaped cotyledon
is closely surrounded by the endosperm. Through the cotyledon, then,
the nourishment from the endosperm is readily passed over to the
growing embryo. In the hollow part of the petiole near the bulb can be
seen the first leaf.
[Illustration: Fig. 95. Seedlings of castor-oil bean casting the seed
coats, and showing papery remnant of the endosperm.]
[Illustration: Fig. 96. Seedlings of jack-in-the-pulpit; embryo backing
out of the seed.]
[Illustration: Fig. 97.
Section of germinating embryos of jack-in-the-pulpit, showing young
leaves inside the petiole of the cotyledon. At the left cotyledon shown
surrounded by the endosperm in the seed; at right endosperm removed to
show the club-shaped cotyledon.]
=215. How the first leaf appears.=—As the embryo backs out of
the seed, it turns downward into the soil, unless the seed is so lying
that it pushes straight downward. On the upper side of the arch thus
formed, in the petiole of the cotyledon, a slit appears, and through
this opening the first leaf arches its way out. The loop of the petiole
comes out first, and the leaf later, as shown in fig. 98. The petiole
now gradually straightens up, and as it elongates the leaf expands.
[Illustration: Fig. 98. Seedlings of jack-in-the-pulpit, first leaf
arching out of the petiole of the cotyledon.]
[Illustration: Fig. 99. Embryos of jack-in-the-pulpit still attached to
the endosperm in seed coats, and showing the simple first leaf.]
[Illustration: Fig. 100. Seedling of jack-in-the-pulpit; section of the
endosperm and cotyledon.]
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