310 
MR. W. GRIFFITH ON THE GENUS GNETUM. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
Tas. LV. 
Fig. 1. Very young ovule of Gnetum scandens viewed on its upper or posterior surface, which is observed 
to be cleft longitudinally. 
Fig. 2. Second envelope, showing its divided apex, the laciniæ of which are connivent. This coat is 
visible at a in fig. 1. 
Fig. 3. Nucleus of the same, both coats being removed. | 
Fig. 4. Posterior view of an ovule (long before the dehiscence of the anthers), showing the longitudinal 
cleft, the margins of the upper part of which are in this case, and indeed generally at a period 
Fig. 7. 
Fig. 8. 
Fig. 9. 
Fig. 10. 
Fig. 11. 
Fig. 12. 
Fig. 13. 
Fig. 14. 
Fig. 15. 
Fig. 16. 
Fig. 17. 
Fig. 18. 
Fig. 19. 
Fig. 20. 
Fig. 21. 
rather later than that to 
which figs. 1-3 refer, in apposition ; part of the second coat is visible 
at a, and another portion projects through the apex at 5. 
Fig. 5. Inferior or anterior view of the same ovule, along which no fissure is visible. 
Fig. 6. View of the inner or second coat, showing its irregularly-divided apex. 
Nucleus highly magnified (the coats removed), showing the depression at the apex and the 
central conical elevation. 
Apex of the nucleus; the conical elevation appears emarginate. 
Ovule of G. Brunonianum ; no fissure through the outer coat except at the apex. 
Longitudinal section ; the apex of the inner coat is visible on a level with that of the outer coat. | 
Å central cavity enclosing the remains of a sac is visible within the nucleus. 
Transverse section of the same. 
The inner coat, with part of the outer remaining at the base. This figure shows the narrow, - 
deeply-divided apex of this coat. | 
Nucleus, with half the bases of the coats remaining, | 
Ovule of G. Brunonianum some time after the fall of the male flowers; at its apex are visible — 
several projecting processes of cellular tissue. v 
Vertical section of the same, showing that a new coat has been developed between the inner (now = 
second) coat and the nucleus. This coat is prolonged beyond the nucleus into a cylindrical 2 
tube, the mouth of which is divided, and projects slightly beyond the opening through the RB 
of the outer envelope. The second coat is now tinged with yellow. E 
Ovule with outer coat detached; the tubular prolongation is seen to project considerably beyond 
the opening in the apex 
yet become expanded. 
of the second coat. The fimbriæ of the extremity of the tube have not 
The same with the second coat removed, showing the third coat throughout. 2 
Vertical section of an ovule of G. Brunonianum, showing the parts in situ. The apex of h 
second coat is preserved 
entire : the correspondence of the apex of the nucleus to the commence- 
ment of the tubular prolongation, the expanding fimbriæ of this, and the adhesion with the base — 
of the nucleus, are represented. The tube is not much sphacelated at this period. The termi- - 
nations of the vascular fascicles at the base of the nucleus are shown. fe 
Transverse section of the ovule near its apex, showing the two envelopes and a portion of the a 
tubular prolongation. 
Vertical section of the whole of the third envelope and the nucleus. At the base of the nucleus a 
appear the terminations of the vessels ; but this is only apparent, the vessels being cut through as- 
they diverge outwards to pass into the envelopes ; none exist in the nucleus. m 
Vertical section of the i 
mmature fruit of Gnetum apiculatum, some time after the fall of the : 
