IN FLOWERING PLANTS. 197 
outer integument. Before fecundation there is a cavity to- 
wards the centre, but they are so minute that I have not 
been able to ascertain whether the embryonary sac, which 
certainly is very conspicuous afterwards, exists or not; neither 
have I ascertained its attachments. When the seeds are 
half ripe, the membranous nature of this is very distinct. 
No raphe exists even at this time. 'The cotyledons are parallel 
to the true faces of the seed. 
Very early. 
At expansion. 
After fecundation. : 
Half dead. 
After fecundation. 
Sac separated. 
Suddyah : June \\th, 1836. 
dbi eee Se oe Men 
PLATE LVII.—G.* 
In the earliest stage I have examined these ovula, I find 
them to have one tegument, which is very thick. e nu- 
cleus is excessively small, its apex reaching to a level with the 
opening in the tegument. Shortly after, and when the corolla 
is one-third shorter than the calyx, the nucleus has become 
entirely enclosed : the foramen nearly closed, and i/s canal 
narrow. Just before expansion the centre of the ovule which 
is already somewhat reniform, is occupied by an excavation, 
which is in fact the nucleus, excavated and reduced to a mem- 
brane: of this, however, I have no proofs, as it adheres so 
firmly to the coat that I have found it impossible to dissect 
it away. At expansion, the apex of this sac will be seen 
to contain a minute globule, probably the rudiment of the 
embryonary sac. Shortly after, the nucleus has disappeared, 
and its place is occupied by a cellular body, which I take 
* MS. title of drawing injured. 
