174 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec. 



Graminece, the bicarinate leaves in Peliandr a. the small, scale-like 

 in Smilax, and finally the large, green leaf in Aristema with 

 petiole and blade. However, the structure of the first leaf 

 succeeding the cotyledon does not always depend upon the 

 presence or absence of an endosperm, for instance in the AracecB. 

 A hypocotyl is, sometimes, developed, as for instance in Alisma, 

 Agave and Smilax. In regard to the roots we have seen the 

 development of a coleorhiza in GraminecB, CyperacecB and 

 Commelinacecs ; furthermore, the relative strong growth of the 

 primary root in Zea, in Agave and Smilax, but most frequently 

 the root system consists of secondary- roots replacing the early 

 fading primary. 



(To be continued). 



Explanation of Plate IV. 



In the figures the letters indicate as follows. — " 



R, the primary root; Cot., the cotyledon; Ll, the first green leaf; 

 PL, the plumule; S, the scutellum; H, the hypocotyl; B, bud in axil of 

 cotyledon (Fig. 7), or of the first leaf (Fig. 12); E, the epiblast. 

 Figure 1. Agave Antericana, L., natural size. 



2. Alisma Plautago, L., var. Attiericana, R. et S., x 8. 



3. Ariscema triphyllum, Torr., longitudinal section; x 4. 



4. Same, a little older; x 4. 



5. Same, still older, showing the first green leaf fully developed; 

 natural size. 



6. Smilax rotundifola, L.; natural size. 



7. Same, part of the seedling, removed from the seed; x 5. 



8. Cyperus vegetus, \^illd., the embryo; x 75. 



9. Same, germinating seed, surrounded by the pericarp; x 26. 



10. Same, the seedling, removed from the seed; x 26. 



11. Same, a more advanced stage; x 18. 



12. Rhynchospora alba, Vahl., seedling; magnified. 

 1.3. Secale cereale, L., germinating grain, seen from the front, but 



upper half of grain cut of; magnified. 



14. Same, seedling removed from the grain, side-view; magnified 



15. Zea mays, L., germinating grain; natural size. 



16. Same, longitudinal section; natural size. 



17. Same, a more advanced stage; natural size. 



18. Pcltandra undulata, Rafin., natural 'size. 



BLUE BIRDS OF THE MARITIME PROVINCES. 



By Wm. H. Moore, Scotch Lake, N.B. 



As there seems to be a general inisunderstanding among 

 people in regard to our blue birds, t.^. birds having some blue in 

 their plumage, it has occurred to me that a short paper on this 

 subject might prove of considerable benefit, for at anv meeting 

 that the writer has addressed, about birds, this question has 

 always come up. Especially among school teachers, and normal 



