178 



SEEDLINGS. 



side of the seed, and curves with it, becoming gradually lanceo- 

 late, or oblong lanceolate (Fig 40, 2). When the cotyledons have 

 reached the upper, narrow end of the seed, the curvature of the 

 wall turns them down again on themselves (Fig. 40, 3). This 

 growth is continued until the tips reach the radicle again, and the 

 ultimate arrangement of the embryo differs according to whether 

 they then curve inwards or outwards. I'his again seems to depend 

 on the exact direction of the growth of the cotyledons ; if they 

 strike (Fig. 40, 5) against the process which encloses the radicle, 

 then their general direction naturally carries them outwards, until 

 the wall of the seed again turns them upwards, so that they be- 

 come phcate ; if, on the contrary, the tips of the cotyledons press 

 just wdthin the micropylar process and touch the radicle, then 

 they are compelled to groW' in the opposite direction, and they 

 become spirally coiled. In the specimens examined the latter 

 arrangement was exceptional. 



Fig. 41. — Seedling of Lasiopetahim ferrugineum, half nat. size. 



With respect to the growth of First Leaves we are told : — 

 " In species with trifoliate leaves, the first leaf is generally simple. 

 When mature leaves are pinnate, the first ones are generally tri- 

 foliate ; and when the final leaves are bipinnate, the first ones are 

 generally pinnate. In most cases the first leaves are simpler than 

 those which follow." In species however, from very dry localities, 

 the reverse is often the case, as in Lasiopetalum, Fig. 41. 



