210 IOWA ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 



as being slightly lignified. The epidermal cell-walls in B. amu- 

 rensis and B. Thunbergii studied by us are not lignified. 

 Brandza' (1891) also speaks of a lignification of the cell- walls of 

 the epidermis in B. sinensis 



His figure and description indicate that the osteosclerids are 

 round. This layer, according to his researches on the develop- 

 ment, forms a part of the outer integument. The pigment 

 layer to the inner integument. He found tannin in the pig- 

 ment layer in this species and B. aquifoUvm.. 



Brandza also studied the development of Epimedium sulphu- 

 reum. Otto Paul* (1882) describes the endosperm of B. emargi- 

 nata, noting that the cell-walls may be differentiated into three 

 parts, and that the contents consists of fat and protein. 



W, Hirsch^ (1890) has given an excellent account of B. 

 vulgaris, in which he notes that the cells of the lower part of 

 the endosperm rapidlj^ absorb water, swell, and finally collapse. 

 These cells transfer nutrient material to the embryo during 

 germination, and also gives it more space so that it can 

 expand. 



J. Holferf' (1890) studied the seeds of the same species with 

 special reference to the nutrient layer, but he also studied 

 other parts of the testa. He distinguishes six layers as fol- 

 lows: (1) Epidermal cells strongly cuticularized; (2) a single 

 row of parenchyma cells, the walls becoming mucilaginous; (3) 

 nutrient layer; (4) osteosclerids correctly figured and 

 described; (5) obliterated nutrient layer, or pigment layer; (6) 

 several rowed nutrient layer with colorless cell- walls. 



Marloth' (1883) recognized four layers, the two inner con- 

 sisting of cells with delicate walls. He also describes the 

 epidermal cells, and the somewhat thick-walled parenchyma 

 cells. Berberis is classed in his fourth group, in which the 

 protective features occur in the testa, endosperm abundant, 

 but cell-walls not thickened. John Lubbock** figures and 

 describes the seeds of several of our species. The seeds of B. 



3D6veloppement des teguments de la graine. Revue generale de Bot. 3: 76-78. pi. 

 5, /. 1-4. 



4Vergleichende Untersuchungen uber das Endosperm Inaug. Dis. Goettingen 37. 



5 Untersuchungen ueber die Frage welche Elnrichtungen bestehen behufs Ueberf ii- 

 hrunlg d. In dem Spelchergewebe d. Samen nledergelegten Reservestoffe in d. Embryo 

 b. d. Kei Diss Inaug. Dls. Erlangen. 



6 Die Nahrschicht d. Samenschalen. Inaug. Dis. Erlangen Flora. 4: 1890. Mar- 

 burg 26. pi. f. 10-11. 



7Ueber mechanlsohe Schuetzmlttel d. Samen gegen schiidliche Elnfliisse von aussen. 

 Engler Bot. Jahrb. 1 :225-364. 



8 A Contribution to Our Knowledge of S8edllng3. London. 1:103-1U. f. 1-12-14-1. 



