. the pollen of anthers belonging to p 
304 | : MR. W. GRIFFITH ON THE GENUS GNETUM. 
feriorly, terminating towards the middle of the long diameter of the albumen ; the tissue, 
however, on the same line, and between it and the apex of the albumen being more dense, 
and having a peculiar appearance. The walls of this cavity are rugged and irregular. To 
the upper portion, and to one side of the cavity, is attached the embryo by means of an 
enormously long, tortuous, and spirally but irregularly-twisted cellular funiculus, the: 
cells being much elongated and twisted. Its length varies, when moderately pulled out, 
from 34 to 5 inches, the length of the fruit being 1inch: This funicle, as well as the. 
extremely similar one of Cycas, has the property of contracting when immersed in water. 
When in situ it is tolerably closely packed ; it is dilated towards its attachment with the 
embryo. The embryo itself is more or less ovate, its radicle tapering off superiorly, and 
being completely continuous with the apex of the funiele. The cotyledons are equal, very 
small, and mutually applied by their plane contiguous faces. The plumule is incon- 
spicuous, and only indicated by a rounded, entire, very minute elevation. . The lower half 
of the embryo is lodged in lax, apparently dislocated tissue. ay bøn | 
[Roxburgh * describes the seed of G. scandens as having, besides the two outer coats, . 
which he refers to the fruit, “two integuments : the exterior one thin and fibrous ; the l 
inner one less distinct, and adhering to the perisperm very firmly. Perisperm conform 
to the seed, cartilaginous. Embryo in the apex of the perisperm, straight. Cotyledons 
two, ensiform, unequal. Radicle superior.” In his drawing of G. scandens the embryo is 
represented with a short obtuse radicle, two unequal cotyledons, and an immense plumule, 
consisting of a filiform stalk equalling in length the larger cotyledon, bearing at its — 
apex two small leaflets. N othing is said of the funiculus. ] . us 
From the foregoing account, I trust it will be. seen. that, with the exception of the 
subsequent and sudden appearance of the additional membrane t, the development of the 
ovula of Gnetum presents scarcely a single peculiarity worthy of notice. The changes s 
that occur in the two outer coats from an early period up to the time of the maturity of 
the seed, I consider as of secondary importance, and as the result of modifications de- 
pending upon their anomalous situation. The sudden appearance of the additional mem- — 
brane does not seem to me to be capable of any explanation: hitherto I have not met — 
with it in any stage of development prior to that when its apex reaches to the opening T 
existing in the outer coat. I can assert with tolerable confidence, that this coat does not 
originate in a separation of the cireumferential tissue of the nucleus, and that hence it is 
not analogous to the fercine, I am unable to state what functions it performs, although - 
its exsertion, its free communication with the apex of the nucleus, its dilated laciniate - 
apex, and its subsequent sphacelation would lead us to suppose that it is connected with — 
| : spikes at an earlier period of growth. | ROI 
The complete agreement in development of the nucleus and albumen with that of the 2x 
' * "Flora Indica, vol. iii. p. 519. 
. + Roxburgh, in his figure of G, 
the existence of the male flowers. 
scandens, represents the exsertion of this membrane or coat as occurring dunng | 
