IN FLOWERING PLANTS. -195 
is nearly as much closed as it is subsequently, but it has not 
yet began to assume an arilloid form ; the secundine membrane 
projects beyond the foramen slightly. The nucleus is en- 
tirely enclosed, and the central tissue is dense and brownish. 
During expansion, the foramen has become more fleshy and 
lobed, and looks somewhat like an arillus: it is, however, 
open, and out of it passes to a considerable distance, the neck 
of the second membrane ; scarcely any change has taken place 
in the nucleus. After expansion, and when the perianth 
has marcesced, the foramen is more arilloid, and much 
less open; even now the apex of the second coat pro- 
jects slightly. No change worth mentioning has occurred in 
the nucleus. 
The pollen is perfectly formed at a very early period. 
[a. Sometime before expansion. 
b. Just before expansion. 
c. After expansion. 
d. Long before expansion. | 
Suddyah : June 29th, 1836. 
CoMMELIN# sp.—PLATE xLix.—Fic. 3 
'The ovula of this genus are anatropous, but somewhat ob- 
liquely, the foramen not being immediately opposite the hilum, 
which is linear, and of considerable extent. The two coats 
of the ovule are distinct, and the neck of both are inflect- 
ed over the somewhat conical neck and head of the nucleus, 
which they embrace firmly. The only peculiarity in this 
inflection is, that it is transverse, and not longitudinal 
(although still vertical) : hence the removal of the foramen 
from any immediate communication with the conducting 
tissue of fecundation sometime after expansion, then excava- 
tion is commenced at the base of the neck of the nucleus: 
and at a later period this nucleus will be found reduced to a 
thin membrane, adherent slightly to the second coat: it is 
