82. 



in Gnetum Gnemon L. accumulate in the chalazal part of the 

 embryosac. In his second work he states that the primordial 

 cells of his first paper are in reality large nuclei so that the 

 embryosac finally contains a large number of nuclei while an 

 endosperm formation may begin in the chalazal end of the 

 embryosac. The difference between the first and second con- 

 tribution of Karsten made a renewed investigation desirable, 

 the results of which will be found below. 



The sprouting of the microspores has been described by Kar- 

 sten, some observations concerning it will be mentioned below ; 

 but details are preserved for a second paper. 



Of fertilisation nothing was known, the grosser points will 

 be treated in this paper. 



Of the development of the Embryo up to the time of shedding 

 the fruit nothing was known, it is this point with which this 

 paper is especially concerned '). 



The further development of the embryo during the sprouting of 

 the seed has been described by Bower, to whose observations 

 I have nothing to add. 



Research. 



The inflorescences of Gnetum Gnemon L. begin with a pair 

 of wedgeshaped opposite bracts. In the axillae of these bracts 

 buds may be developped so that a panicle with opposite branches 



1) Concerning these points considerable, though nothing complete, is known for 

 other species as will be seen on perusal of Karsten's works. That I do not further 

 mention his investigations is not due to little appreciation on my part but to the 

 fact that small differences seem to exist between our results. I therefore hope to 

 discuss the matter in full in my paper on Gnetum moUuccanum , a species more 

 closely related to those described by Karsten. 



The reader is however earnestly requested to read what Karsten says about his 

 species as to him undoubtedly belongs the honour of having discovered among 

 the Gneta a mode of reproduction up till then entirely unknown in the vegetable 

 kingdom. My work is only a building on the fundations laid by Karsten. 



It may not be devoid of interest to state here that I was rather sceptical as to 

 the results of Karsten's works, so that I have been continuously on the look out 

 for something totally different. That notwithstanding this state of mind I attained 

 results essentially the same, increases it seems to me their value. 



