1881.] 



ni Frnita <iu(l Seeds. 



G21 



calyx, at the base of which, close to the stem, is the ovary. After 

 the flower has faded, the young pod, which is oval, pointed, and very 

 minute, is carried forward by the growth of the stalk, which becomes 

 several inclus long, and curves downwards so as generally to force 

 the pod into the ground. If it fails in this, the j^od does not develop, 

 but soon perishes ; on the other hand, as soon as it is underground 

 the pod begins to grow and develops two large seeds. 



Again, in Vicia amphicarpa, Fig. 18, a South European species of 



Fig. 18. 



Vicia amphicarpa. 

 a a, ordinary puds ; b b, subterranean pods. 



Vetch, there are two kinds of pods : one of the ordinary form and habit 

 (a), the other (h) oval, pale, containing only two seeds borne on under- 

 ground stems, and produced by flowers which have no corolla. 



Again, a species of the allied genus Lathyrus, Fig, 19, L. amphl- 

 carposy affords us another case of the same phenomenon. 



