Seed cutter

In Seed Ecology/Seed Science you sometimes need to cut a seed in half — in my case, it was so that we could get it under a microscope or x-ray machine so that we could measure the thickness of its protective seed coat. Cutting seeds in half is also a great way to show students the different parts of a seed, especially [if the seeds are stained](http://lab-aids.com/kits-and-modules/details/seed-staining) to improve contrast.

(I suggest a lesson plan based around this seed cutter below, where students compare the germination time of seeds with damaged or intact seed coats.)

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*Above: A diagram of a wheat seed. ([Source](http://www.grainchain.com/Resources/14-16/ip_wheat-farming.html))*

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Cutting seeds in half usually involves holding the seed with pliers while you cut it, but you may crush the seed or lose it. Moreover, very small seeds (1 mm wide) are difficult or impossible to hold with pliers.

This seed cutter makes the proc