THE MANGROVE FAMILY 



55 



to the rule; it begins to germinate while 

 still on the tree. The radicle of the embryo 

 pierces through the apex of the fruit, and 

 forms a long spear-like body (fig. 57, i). 

 The little warty projections seen 

 on it indicate the future side- 

 roots. After several months the 

 seed, or rather the young plant, 

 parts from the parent tree, drops 

 into the soft mud like a falling 



2 3 



Fig. hl. — Bnigniera gymnovrhiza (Kandelia Rheedii), embryos in ='/4 natural size: 

 1. still sticking la the fruit; 2. detached, with the plumula at the top; 

 3. rooted, only tlie basis of a shoot. 



