1908] Botanical Branch. 101 



with owing to the absence of any definite method of classification 

 similar to that relied upon when the flower is available for identi- 

 fication purposes. While this fact necessitated the use of a 

 large reference collection of correctly named seeds taken from 

 authentic samples, yet many families of plants were found to 

 produce seeds of a certain type common to the family to which 

 they belong and which were therefore easily placed in the proper 

 family. As instances of this, the characteristics of the seeds 

 of the following families were submitted: — 



Ranunculaceae. (Crowfoot Family). 

 Genera having achenes. Achenes flat, irregularly oval in 

 shape with pointed base. Persistent style of varying length, 

 attached. 



Papaveraceae. (Poppy Familv). 

 Seeds kidney shaped with raised reticulated surfaces. 

 Seeds of several genera crested. 



Cruciferae. (Mustard Family). 

 Seeds generally with depression along each side of the 

 radicle causing it to project prominently. Hilum white. Acrid 

 taste. Pericarp often finely pitted. 



Caryophyllaceae. (Pink Familv). 

 Seeds kidney shaped with characteristic tubercles or warts 

 generally arranged in parallel rows or concentric rings. 

 Malvaceae. (Mallow Family). 

 Seeds kidney shaped, resting sides flattened or compressed. 



Legumixosae. (Pulse Family). 

 Seeds with hard pericarp. In manv genera the radicle 

 projects prominently; others are globular with a long character- 

 istic hilum. 



Umbelliferae. (Parsley Family). 

 Carpels usually with five prominent ribs, ventral surface 

 flattened. I\Iany produce aromatic odour from essential oil. 

 Compositae. (Composite Family). 

 Achenes oblong and stick-like, often having ribs running 

 longitudinally. When the pappus is detached a conspicuous 

 crown or impression remains. 



Labiatae. (Mint Family). 

 Achenes mostly attached at the base, leaving characteristic 

 depressions. Many genera show two flattened sides through 

 pressure in ovary. Somewhat resemble small insects. 

 Plantaginaceae. (Plaintain Family). 

 Seeds boat-shaped with rounded ends. Dorsal surface 

 convex, ventral showing a deep groove with an oblong spot 

 resembling an eye. 



Polygonaceae. (Buckwheat Family). 

 Achenes usually sharply triangular, an occasional genus 



