They are called"dry"fruits because they donotcontainthe pulpy, fleshy
materialfound inotherfruits-apples,for example. All nuts, includingthe
coconut,and grain seeds such as wheat and rice are also known as"dry"fruits.
By amiraculousact ofnature,the ripe pods spring open and "shoot"the
green peas (seeds) andstringbean seedsoutand away from theparentplant.
If the seeds fall to theground,each may grow into a new plant.
EXAMINING THE SEELS OF "FLESHY" FRUITS
Materials:All you need is a fresh apple and asharpparingknife.
Follow this procedure:Cutthe apple down the center the long way.
You will observe:The juicy, pulpy masssurroundinga groupofhardblack
seeds.
An apple is a"fleshy"fruit because it is juicy and pulpy. Each fleshy fruit
containseithera seed (as does a peach, for example) or several seedsthathave
hardcoverings. Each apple seed can beplantedtoproducea new apple tree.
Sometimes fruit seeds areplantedaccidentally,justas the beeaccidentally
pollinatesflowers. Some animals eat the fleshypartofa fruit and leave or
discardthehardcoveredpart. You, too, eat the fleshypartand throwaway
the tiny orhardcenter seed. If it falls to theground,it may grow into a new
plant. Grapes,peaches, pears, oranges and melons are familiar fleshy fruits.THE STRUCTURE OF SEEDS
Materials:Fresh green peas, dried lima beans, ahandlens, ajaror glass,
tap water.
Follow this procedure:Soak lima beans in water for 24 hours.
Remove the green peas from their pods and examine theoutsideof the
peas.
Then, with your fingernail, remove the tough outsidecovering ofboth
kinds of seeds andseparatethe two halves.