BY J. J. FLETCHER AND C. T. MUSSON. 205 



The first pair have nearly completed their fusion, except 

 superficially; the second pair are still small; while the presence 

 of the third pair, in the axils of the second pair of leaves, 

 can be made out. One shoot has developed on each nodule 

 of the tirst and second pairs. Another seedling with two 

 pairs (Bl), and two older ones with four pairs (B2 and B3j are 

 shown in Plate iv. The first pair of B3 have made good pro- 

 gress, and have nearly completed their fusion. Another, but a 

 rather poor specimen which could not be photographed while it 

 was fresh, with five pairs of stem-nodules, and three root nodules, 

 is shown on the left of Plate xii. All the specimens of this 

 series were nursery-seedlings; and we have been able to ascertain, 

 that seedlings 3-4 months old, with from 4-7 pairs of foliage- 

 leaves, may or may not have one pair of recognisable nodules. 

 Bush-seedlings of E. corymbosa, about 3-4 months old, with four 

 pairs of foliage-leaves, will usually show one pair of recognisable 

 nodules, as in fig. Al. 



The lower row of Plate v. shows a similar series of bush- 

 seedlings of E. sideroxylon. The younger ones show, in order, 

 one, two, and three pairs of stem-nodules. The fourth shows 

 a more advanced stage of three pairs, the nodules of the 

 second pair being about as large as those of the first. The fifth 

 seedling has four pairs. One of the first pair has grown more 

 than its fellow. One of the second pair seems to have come to 

 a standstill, while the other has grown downwards into the 

 interval between the nodules of the first pair, and shows signs 

 of commencing to fuse with one of them. The third and fourth 

 pairs are still small. 



An interesting growing seedling of E. tereticornis, with three 

 pairs of nodules, and no shoots, is shown in Plate vi., fig 2. The 

 opposite and decussate arrangement of the pairs of nodules is 

 well seen. The first pair have developed well, and fairly equally; 

 and have fused basally, leaving only a superficial interval still to 

 be filled. The visible member of the second pair- is small, and 

 seems likely to fuse with the first pair before fusing with its 

 fellow. A notched, white card has been placed in position to 

 give a white background. 



The total number of pairs of stem-nodules present in seedlings 

 depends on the number of axils aff'ected, and on the age of the 

 seedling. Seedlings of some species, as a rule, may have more 

 15 



