176 Mr. Griffith on the Ovulum q/" Santalum, 



§ 2. OsYRis Nepalensis. 



The ovula of this plant are cellular productions from the lower part of a 

 conical cellular placenta, imbedded in a small cavity a little above the centre 

 of the ovarium ; this cavity communicates freely with the stigmatic canal 

 by a narrow line or slit. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 1.) Before the expansion of the 

 flower the outlines of these ovula are continuous, and they present all the 

 appearances characteristic of ovula reduced to nuclei ; they are oblong, cel- 

 lular, homogeneous bodies, curved upwards or laterally. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 2.) 



At the period of expansion of the flower, but before any evident action of 

 the pollen on the stigmata, an oblong sacciform body crowded with granules 

 will be found protruding from the apex of the ovulum ; this, which is very 

 short, may be traced into the ovulum, within which it becomes narrowed, as 

 far as its base. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 3.) 



If, after the action of the pollen on the stigmata is apparent, the ovaria be 

 carefully opened, very fine tubes will be seen in the canal of communication 

 or stigmatic canal, which on reaching the apex of the placenta pass down over 

 its surface, and establish immediate relations with the ovula ; possibly with 

 all, but generally, as it has appeared to me, with only one, or at most two. 

 (Tab. XVIII. fig. 4.) 



The relation established consists of a very firm adhesion with the apex of 

 the protruded sac. No pressure or traction is sufiicient to disunite them ; 

 occasionally the membrane of the descending tube or boyau appears blended 

 with the protruded sac, occasionally appearing to expand upon it in a some- 

 what bulbiform mode. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 5.) At this period the protruded 

 tube, which I consider to be the erabryonary sac, will be found to present a 

 continuation backwards beyond the base of the ovulum into the placenta, on 

 reaching the central line of which it becomes deflexed, passing down to a 

 considerable distance in the centre of the tissue which corresponds to the 

 central line of the ovarium, and which contains the vascular supplies for the 

 placenta ? ? (Tab. XVIII. fig. 4.) 



The next stage of development has presented to me the appearance of a 

 small cellular mass, apparently occupying the place of the exserted part of the 

 embryonary sac, and generally, perhaps, presenting on its apex traces of very 

 short filaments. This cellular appearance arises from the deposit, if I may be 



