ON- A CTIINKSE SCREWl'mE. 67 



oblong cells, two on each side, and that they are scattered in 

 great abundance amid the sinuously-outlined epidermal cells. The 

 wood, as also the rind of the fruit and the tissues of the embryo, are 

 permeated by resin-bearing tubes. The embryo consists almost en- 

 tirely of large globose cells, crammed with ovoid starch grains of very 

 irregular sizes. When freshly cut the surface is white, but as the 

 resin exudes it forms dark specks over the surface, so as to cause a 

 resemblance to the ruminate albumen of the nutmeg. 



Some of the seeds forwarded to Mr. Melton appeared to be still in 

 good condition, and were therefore forwarded to Kew, where I lately 

 (January, 1875) had an opportunity of observing the germination. 

 The primary root is apparently thrown out from one end of the undi- 

 vided embryo, while a plumule, with a few scaly leaves, projects from 

 the other extremity. No cotyledons are visible. From the base of the 

 plumule proceeds an adventitious root, which, from its appearance, 

 seems destined to carry on the nutrition of the seedling after the stores 

 in the embryo itself are exhausted. The primary root, on the other hand, 

 seemed to be gradually shrivelling up. There is of course some risk 

 that when the growing plant has used up all the stores contained within 

 the tigellum it may not be able to feed itself by means of the roots ; this 

 risk, however, appears to be but slight. The mode of germination of the 

 Bitter Cola corresponds precisely with that described by Planchon and 

 Triana in the case of Xcmthochymus didcis.'^ 



Lastly, it may be worth alluding to the proper term to be applied 

 to embryos of this headless, limbless character. Much diversity of 

 opinion, and consequently of phraseology, exists among morphologista 

 on these particulars. I have no intention in this note to enter into 

 this discussion, but may simply state that the word ** tigellum," as used 

 by Planchon and Triana, appears to me to convey a truer idea of the 

 real nature of this torso-like embryo than any other ; on which account 

 I have made use of it. 



Explanation of Tab. 160. 



Bitter Cola. 1. Portion of branch, showing the nodes and mode of disarticu- 

 lation of the ramuli. 2, Leaf. 3. Fruit. 4. Transverse section of fruit. 5. Ver- 

 tical section of fruit. 6, 7. Seeds. 8. Germinating embryo. (All natural size.) 



ON A CHINESE SCREWPINE. 

 By Henet F. Hance, Ph.D., etc. 



The existence in Hongkong of a second species of Pandanm quite 

 unlike P. odoratissimus, Linn., was recorded in my Supplement to 

 Mr. Bentham's Flora,! and I doubtfully referred it, from recollection, 

 to the phalangial division of the genus. My memory was here at fault, 

 which is not singular, as it was certainly at least sixteen years since I 

 had seen the fruit gathered by Dr. Harland. During a recent visit to 



* Ann. Sc. Nat., ser. iv., vol. xir., tab. 17, f. 15. 

 t Joum. Linn. Soc. Bot., xiii., 129. 



F 2 



