CRYPTOCORYNE. 141 
part, expanding into a sac. In those carpella in which ovula 
are not abortive, we find them of an oboval shape, of consi- 
derable size. 
The testa now is spongy, very thick above, below, forming 
only a thin covering to the round base of the nucleus, which 
is much less altered in shape, the foramen of the testa is very 
distinct, and callous. 
There are two other points connected with this plant fitted 
for enquiry. 
1. How is such a fruit to be distinguished from a really 
syncarpus one ?. 
2. Is the primary radicle of Monocot's generally rudimenta- 
ry and abortive?. "The only way to settle the first, is by the 
existence of axile vessels, but then if we were to conceive 
a dioiceus plant in which no prolongation of the spadix be- 
yond the ovaria took place, I doubt whether there would 
be vessels inside the placental vessels. In reference to this 
point, such fruits ought to be observed as have one dehiscense 
on the axis remaining isolated in the centre. 
But compared with other Aroidez, such as Aglaonema, the 
separation and exhaustion of the cotyledon in fruit, is not a lit- 
tle remarkable, for in Aglaonema, the cotyledon, which is very 
large, is perfectly fresh, aud juicy, and when the first true leaf 
is a span long, aad even when it is 4 foot long, and radicles 
are plentiful, its nutritious male apex is only absorbed about 
j of the distance. In this, the primary radicleis hardly ever 
developed. 
If the embryo is not áciélopat, the nucleus remains atte- 
nuatedly conical, if it is developed, its apex becomes en- 
larged ; and the whole figure is irregularly hour glass-shaped, 
and the axis rectilinear. The embryo undergoes its first 
changes of mere enlargement іп the apex of the nucleus, but 
whether from the constriction below this, and the hardness of 
the nucleus, or a certain degree of obliquity which the em- 
bryo assumes before its apex protrudes, it does not extend 
