404 Boewig on the Histology and 



consisting of two cotyledons that are not always of equal 

 size, and that twist about each other somewhat; between 

 them is a Httle doubly conical fleshy radicle, with papery 

 indications of one or two plumular leaves. Bentham speaks 

 on this subject as follows :* 



"The cotyledons are so completely consolidated in the ripe 

 seed that Gaertner described them as a fleshy albumen, mis- 

 taking the plumula, which is at least as much developed as in 

 other Laurineae, for the embryo. R. Brown pointed out 

 this error, and Griffith and others figured the real embryo 

 with a distinct line of separation between the two cotyledons. 

 In the dried fruits I had at my disposal, I could not detect 

 any such demarcation, and I should have followed Gaertner 

 in describing the seeds as albuminous had it not been for 

 Brown's very decided contradiction, more especially as 

 Colonel Champion, in some sketches made from the living 

 plant in Hong Kong, seemed to confirm Gaertner's view. 

 On writing, however, to Dr. Thwaites in Ceylon, he has 

 kindly examined fresh seeds, and fully corroborates Brown's 

 and Griffith's statements, explaining the discrepancies by the 

 circumstance that it is only at an early stage that the cotyle- 

 dons are clearly distinct, the line of demarcation becoming 

 obliterated long before maturity." 



To this I may add that the Florida material showed even 

 in the fully ripened state a distinct line of demarcation 

 between the two cotyledons, although they cannot be pulled 

 apart as in the younger seed. I find further that the cotyle- 

 dons remain distinct up to about the period when induration 

 of the endocarp commences. I find, moreover, that the two 

 cotyledonary epidermal layers facing each other remain quite 

 distinct morphologically, but that they seem to be adherent 

 by means of some cementing substance. These epidermal 

 layers consist of fairly regular semi-columnar cells, whose 

 flat faces are apposed, with the cementing substance between. 



The bulk of the cotyledons is composed of large rounded 



* Flora Australiensis, Vol. V. 



