360 Linnaan Society. 



it results that the fleshy body which constitutes the entire mass of 

 the seed, after the removal of the testa, consists of a peripheral fleshy 

 mass and a central subulate body firmly adherent with it, of similar 

 texture, and having its apex directed towards one side of the hilum. 

 At the opposite extremity the outer mass is surmounted by a 

 number of colourless scales, surrounding and concealing other more 

 minute scales which occupy the distal extremity of the central sub- 

 ulate body. There are no traces of cotyledonary division, and the sub- 

 ulate body, excepting at its divided upper extremity, is continuous 

 with the rest of the fleshy mass. The commencement of the germi- 

 nation takes place while the seeds are still enclosed in the fruit. The 

 integument is ruptured longitudinally, and generally with some de- 

 gree of regularity along the apex ; from this opening are exserted 

 pale greenish scaly leaf-like bodies, consisting first of those which 

 surmount the outer mass, and subsequently of the divided termina- 

 tion of the central subulate body. As this latter increases in length, 

 it is seen to terminate in a green convolute leaf, in the axilla of which 

 is placed another very rudimentary one. At this period the extre- 

 mity of the subulate body next the hilum has also become exserted, 

 and forms a subulate fleshy and undivided projection. Into this the 

 cellular tissue of the fleshy body passes, although there is a faint 

 line of demarcation between the two. 



The absolute nature of the outer fleshy part, Mr. Griffith observes, 

 can only be determined by pursuing the development of the ovula. 

 The nature of the subulate body is evident : it is the root, the true 

 plumula being the minute scaly body at its distal end. The root 

 points, as it should do, towards one side of the hilum, the situation 

 in fact of the foramen. At the collet it is continuous with the plu- 

 mula, and laterally with the outer fleshy mass, which ought there- 

 fore to be cotyledonary, and taking it to be so, might be explained 

 by supposing the cotyledons to be affixed in a peltate manner, and 

 united into a solid mass. 



Mr. Griffith was precluded from the further pursuit of the subject, 

 with reference to the development of the ovula and the more advanced 

 germination, by the departure of the Deputation for the investigation 

 of the Tea-districts of Upper Assam, of which he formed part. 



Feb. 3. — The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. 



Read papers on various subjects, bearing date in 1834 and 1835, 

 by the late William Griffith, Esq., F.L.S. &c., communicated by R. 

 H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. &c. 



The first of these contains the description of a plant found by 

 Mr. Griffith in a small island near Mergui, called Madamacan, and 

 which he has characterized under the generic name of Corysadenia, 

 but which is evidently the same with Dr. Blume's genus Illigera, pub- 

 lished in Europe in 1834, and consequently then unknown to the 

 author. In common with that botanist, and acting on a suggestion 

 of Dr. Wight, he indicates its near affinity to Gyrocarpus, with which 

 he suspects that it should form an order, to be called " Gyrocarpece." 

 He notices these genera as forming exceptions to a general rule 



