. Elements of botany. Plants. STORAGE OF NOUllISHMENT IN THE SEED. 21 Compare the kernel of corn and its germination with the oat, Fig. 0. 28. Experiment 9. Of how much Use to the Corn Seedling is the Endosperm ? — Sprout kernels of corn on blotting-paper. When they get fairly started, cut away the endosperm carefully from several of the seeds. Suspend on mosquito netting over water in the same jar two or three seedlings which have lost their endosperm, and as many which have not been mutilated. Let them grow for some weeks, and note results. 29. Starch. — Most common seeds con- tain starch. E
. Elements of botany. Plants. STORAGE OF NOUllISHMENT IN THE SEED. 21 Compare the kernel of corn and its germination with the oat, Fig. 0. 28. Experiment 9. Of how much Use to the Corn Seedling is the Endosperm ? — Sprout kernels of corn on blotting-paper. When they get fairly started, cut away the endosperm carefully from several of the seeds. Suspend on mosquito netting over water in the same jar two or three seedlings which have lost their endosperm, and as many which have not been mutilated. Let them grow for some weeks, and note results. 29. Starch. — Most common seeds con- tain starch. Every one knows something about the appearance of ordinary commer- cial starch as used in the laundry, and as sold for food in packages of corn-starch. It is not always easy, however, to recog- nize at sight the presence of starch as it occurs in seeds, but it may be detected by a very simple chemical test, namely, the addition of a solution of iodine.^ 30. E xp eriment 10. Test Seeds ivith Iodine for Starch.^ — Pulverize one or two seeds,^ add two or three drops of boihng water to soften and swell the starch, and then add, drop by drop, the iodine solution. ()nly a little is necessary ; some- times the first drop is enough. If starch is present, a blue color (sometimes almost black) will appear. If no color is obtained in this way, boil the pulverized seeds for a moment in a few drops of water, and try again. 1 The tinctvire of iodine sold at the drug-stores wiU do, but the solution prepared as directed in Appendix B answers better. This may be made up in quantity, and issued to the pupil in drachm vials, to be taken home and used there, if the ex- perimenting must be done outside of the laboratory or the schoolroom. 2 May be a home experiment. 3 With large seeds, like a nut, only part of one will be Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these il
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectplants, bookyear1896
