IN FLOWERING PLANTS. 185 

And it is in the hopes of strengthening, if indeed they need 
any aid on my part, the views of Mr. Brown, and of recon- 
ciling the discrepant portions of M. Mirbel's account, that I . 
have ventured to offer these observations. 
HYDROCOTYLE, — PLATE XLv.—Fic. 1. : 
The ovula of this genus have only one coat, to which the 
nucleus is firmly adherent, forming a congruous fleshy mass. 
. The foramen after fecundation is covered up by an elonga- 
tion of the contiguous part of the funicle, from which cellu- 
lar growths often proceed. About this time a cavity appears 
in the centre of the ovule, which is produced from the base 
upwards. This cavity is lined by a very fine membranous 
sac, which gradually extends upwards, and forms a con- 
tinuation with the apex of the nucleus, which, from cohe- 
sion, is barely distinguishable. In it the albumen soon 
begins to be developed. The embryo is of comparatively 
late appearance. The raphe at the time of fecundation is 
about half developed. The testa is excessively thin: in the 
nearly ripe seed, the raphe is semi-complete. 
1. About the period of fecundation. 
2. Before expansion of flower. 
3. After expansion. 
4. Very early period; no raphe. 
5. Commencement of embryo; albumen complete. 
6. Nearly ripe seed. 
7. After fecundation, sac filled with a grumous fluid; . 
the commencement of the albumen. 
 Suddyah : 10th June, 1836. 

~ 
Marea begonifolia,—PuatE xLv.—Fic. 2. | 
In this the nucleus has only one coat, to which it adheres 
firmly: with the raphe which is complete and unbranched, 
: * 2 B 

